text: A mother of four has pledged to remove her children from school to attend an ancient Maypole festival - despite facing fines or even prosecution. Anna James, 32, has vowed to defy the school's ban on taking her children to the 'Obby 'Oss celebrations - claiming the rituals are part of her 'religion, culture and heritage.' The school blocked her request under a government crackdown on unauthorised absences  announced in 2013. Mrs James pictured with her son Ethan (far left), Piran (centre) and Sophia (right) at last year's Maypole festival . But Mrs James said she would be willing to take the consequences of any police action to take her children Ethan, 11, Piran, 5, Sophia, 8, and four month old baby Faith to the event. The annual May 1 celebration is a centuries' old tradition, involving music and dancing through the streets, believed by some to be an ancient pagan fertility ritual which heralds the arrival of spring. Held every year in Padstow, Cornwall at midnight on May 1, it consists of parades and celebrations throughout the town and into the following day. Mrs James, who moved from Padstow to St Austell, Cornwall, eight years ago, said: 'I think it's ridiculous that I'm being told I can't take my children to the event. 'Obby 'Oss is something which my family has celebrated for generations. 'It's part of our heritage, our culture and our religion. If I wanted to take children out of school for some other religion I think it would be a different story. 'I don't expect the St Austell schools to close, but I do think that any school in Cornwall should be sensitive to the needs of people from Padstow to return to their home town on May 1. The event itself is educational.' Mrs James, 32, has vowed to defy the school's ban on taking her children to the 'Obby 'Oss celebrations. Pictured from left to right is Sophia, 8, Ethan, 11, Faith, 4 months, and Piran, 5 . In 2013, former Education Secretary Michael Gove ended the right for schools to grant up to 10 days holiday per year for pupils. New guidelines state that children should only be taken out of school during term-time if it is an 'exceptional circumstance'. Government rules state that it is at the discretion of each individual school to authorise or reject absence requests. Under the current system, parents who take their children out of school without permission could face a £60 fine per child, rising to £120 if it is not paid within 21 days. Failure to pay the fine can result in prosecution, with a maximum fine – if convicted – of £2,500 or a jail sentence of up to three months. Padstow Primary School children are included in the 'Obby 'Oss tradition. But leaders at Bishop Bronescombe School in St Austell would not authorise Mrs James' request for her children to join them. Mrs James said: 'For Padstow residents the day is a massively important part of their cultural heritage. 'I'm not an expert on its origins but I do believe it can be described as having religious significance. 'Just because I don't live in Padstow any more doesn't mean I can't celebrate my religion. I would do the same even if I lived in Australia.' The crackdown by the Government on absences was outlined in 2013 and stipulates children should attend lessons rather than take time off to suit parental convenience. The crackdown was announced by the then Education Secretary Michael Gove who intended to stop parents taking children out of school to benefit from cheaper holidays. Mrs James said the festival was part of her family's religion, culture and heritage . But the government insists that local head teachers still have the discretion to approve up to ten absences a year 'in exceptional circumstances'. Bishop Bronescombe School declined to comment. In Padstow, where children are an integral part of the festival, the school closes so pupils can take part in the early-morning dances. Padstow School head teacher Phil Banks said: 'We take May 1 as a community closure day as the majority of our children and staff will be taking part in the festivities. 'It is such an important part of their cultural heritage that we feel it is extremely important for us to support and celebrate it. 'I can understand the position of the St Austell schools, however. 'Guidelines on allowing absence nowadays are incredibly tight. I would imagine a number of schools in the area get requests like this, and not necessarily from people who can claim any legitimate link to Padstow.' Mrs James, who is currently on maternity leave from her job as a PA, said that she has attended the event every year since she was born and for residents of Padstow it was more important than Christmas. She said: 'We see it as more important than Christmas. It is such an important Cornish tradition, but if the children can not go how are we supposed to keep it alive? 'Obviously we celebrate Christmas, but the fact we see this as more important shows the scale of what it means to us. 'I will be taking the kids out as I strongly believe we should be allowed to keep our heritage alive. 'They all have a 100 per cent attendance record. I never take them out for a holiday. 'But everyone in Padstow takes part. People who once lived there come from the other side of the world to take part. It is in their blood.'
target: Mother of four Anna James has vowed to take her children to the festival .
  Mrs James, 32, claims it is part of her 'religion, culture and heritage'
  Her children's school has refused to give permission for their absences .
  The ancient Maypole festival is held every year in Padstow, Cornwall .
  It is believed to be an ancient pagan ritual that heralds the arrival of spring .