More than 350 people caught watching TV without a licence in Grantham

Just over 350 people were caught watching television without a licence in Grantham last year.

This compares with 76 in Stamford and over 660 in Lincoln.

TV Licensing has also revealed the average evasion rate is just over five per cent, which means almost 95 per cent of homes in Lincolnshire have a licence.

Mark Whitehouse, TV Licensing spokesman for East Anglia, said: "The data released shows evasion remains at historically low levels of approximately five per cent.

"That means the overwhelming majority of people have ensured they are correctly licensed.

"In order to be fair to the law-abiding majority who do pay for their licence, we'll continue to pursue the small minority of people who do not pay.

"We do understand some people may find it difficult to pay in one go, which is why we offer numerous ways to spread the cost."

A colour television licence currently costs £145.50 and is required by anyone watching or recording programmes on a TV or computer.

People who do so without a licence are risking court prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

For more information about licensing requirements and ways to pay, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk