A PARENT and leading Hereford councillor says the school summer holidays should be shortened.

Father-of-four Cllr Jim Kenyon wants to see a five-week break instead of the usual six with the extra week being tagged on to Christmas or Easter.

The It's Our County member says it would enable parents to spread childcare costs around, adding Herefordshire Council has the power to make the change.

"Talk to any parents," said Cllr Kenyon, who lives in St James, Hereford.

"Six or seven weeks is just a nightmare.

"We could have an extra week at Christmas or Easter. It would make it easier for families to get holidays this way.

"More than half the county's schools are run by the council. We can put forward that we want to change it."

Cllr Kenyon made the suggestion during last Friday's full council meeting at Hereford Shirehall.

"It's within our powers," he told members.

"I've spoken to a lot of parents and they say the summer holidays are too long.

"Also, a lot of schools will break up on a Thursday and go back on a Wednesday, whereas for everyone else the working week starts on a Monday."

Cllr Kenyon is asking members of the public to contact him with ideas or suggestions on the proposal.

"I just think, 'why don't we do something different instead of the same old, same old?'

"We are a low-paid county and this could give parents the opportunity to afford a holiday.

"It could also give them the chance to spread childcare costs around."

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson confirmed it is within the authority's powers to set term dates and holidays for council-run schools.

The only government stipulation is that 190 school days are honoured per year.

Cllr Kenyon can be contacted at jkenyon@herefordshire.gov.uk