THE television show Dancing on Ice has been credited with helping stop truancy at two schools where attendance has risen by 28 per cent since a new reward scheme was introduced.

Staff at the middle and high schools in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, in conjunction with a local ice rink, offered free ice skating sessions to all pupils who achieved full attendance during the autumn term.

Now, thanks to the popularity of the ITV reality programme, attendance has shot up and the scheme is to be extended.

Alan Wells, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member for children and young people, said: ''Dancing on Ice has really raised interest in skating and we are delighted that it also seems to be playing a part in encouraging students to achieve higher attendance rates.

''We are especially pleased that a spin-off effect of this scheme is that more and more youngsters are taking up an extremely healthy activity in skating.''

Since the scheme was introduced, the number of students with a 100% attendance record rose by 55 students in the autumn term in 2008 compared to the same term in 2007.

Now 250 students will be presented with family ice skating passes to be used at Planet Ice Arena in Ryde.

The centre's manager, Lorna Cotton, said: ''If we as a company can offer an extra incentive for students to attend school then we are more than happy to assist our local council in doing so.

''There is no doubt that Dancing on Ice has increased the profile of skating and the number of people trying it for the first time as well as those taking it up as a regular sporting activity.

''This scheme has now been launched by Planet Ice throughout the country and I am confident that it will be successful on a national level.''