Many parents are opting to take their children out of school in a bid to secure a cheaper holiday.

Their motivation is cost, said Bob Atkinson, travel expert at travelsupermarket.com, with people looking to save as much as 48 per cent simply by moving a holiday forward by three weeks.

Figures from the website reveal that 49 per cent of parents in the UK admit they have taken their kids on holiday during term time.

"We don’t take a stance on whether it is right or wrong for parents to take their children out of school for whatever reason that may be," Mr Atkinson revealed.

In 2004, on the spot fines were introduced to try and deter parents from taking their children out of school, although 18 per cent said the £100 penalty was unlikely to deter them from booking outside the peak season.

In addition to this, 31 per cent said they would take the holiday regardless of the extra cost, with 20 per cent doubting a fine would ever be enforced.