Parents in Bradford are being warned their children will be kicked out of school if they miss too much time on extended trips abroad.

Schools chiefs want to crack down on the practice of 'extended leave' where youngsters miss weeks of classes to accompany their parents on long trips to visit family, often in the Asian sub continent.

A strict new policy will be introduced in the district's schools in September, if it is approved by councillors.

Children missing more than four weeks - rather than the current six - would be removed from the school roll. As the most popular and sought-after schools are full, parents would then have to find a place at another on their return.

Mark Pattison, managing director of Education Bradford, said: "It is crucial to life chances of children and young people in the Bradford district that they are in school as much as possible. We have considered the cultural and religious needs of all communities in the district and believe these can be accommodated within the new policy."

The new policy will be discussed by members of the Education Policy Partnership tomorrow, but it will also need the approval of Bradford Council's ruling Executive.

The existing policy allows up to 20 days' authorised absence, plus ten days' unauthorised absence, before a child loses his or her place at their school.

But Ishtiaq Ahmed, of the Bradford Council for Mosques, believes that the problem is getting blown out of proportion.

"While we encourage parents to make sure they are not taking extended leave in a way which disrupts their children's education, the authorities need to realise that these visits are very costly," he said.

Education Bradford has already consulted parents. Views ranged from "this is excellent, overdue and what the community needs to raise attainment" to a few parents who said they needed more time to go abroad, not less. Some were also concerned about exceptional circumstances preventing them returning on the right date.

Phil Green, director of education at Bradford Council, said: "It is good that parents allow their children to experience other countries and spend time with relatives, but we are asking that this should be done at times of the year and for lengths of time when there will be minimal disruption to their schooling."

Kay Lindley, head teacher at Victoria Primary in Keighley, said her school and others in Keighley were already operating the new tougher policy.