A reporter from the Surrey Mirror successfully challenged a Section 39 order which, left unopposed, would have stopped the paper reporting on two cases of parents fined because their children did not attend school enough.

Journalist John Geoghegan argued that the order, aimed at protecting the children, would also prevent the paper from identifying the parents and the schools involved.

He told Redhill Magistrates' Court that this would mean the paper could not publish a story and there would be no deterrent to other parents doing the same thing.

After hearing his arguments magistrates said they were happy to lift the order.

This meant John was also able to interview one of the parents, who did not attend the hearing, and publish their side of the story.

John, (27), told HoldtheFrontPage: "My main argument was that it was in the public interest because otherwise we wouldn't be able to publish anything at all.

"I also argued that the children were not directly involved in proceedings."

Following the hearing an usher told John that this was the first time a journalist had challenged a Section 39 order in such a case.

The Surrey Mirror reported that the parents of an 11-year-old girl from Horley received a fine because her attendance record at her primary school was so poor.

A mother from Reigate also received a fine because her two children were frequently absent from secondary school.