BLACKBURN has been revealed as the worst town in East Lancashire for TV licence dodging among young people.

Some 156 people between 18 and 25 were caught watching live TV or BBC iPlayer without a licence in the past year, according to TV Licensing figures.

Burnley was next on the list with 130, followed by Accrington (73), Nelson (54), Darwen (26) and Colne (22). Clitheroe had two offenders in that age range.

Across the UK, more than 33,000 young people were caught in the same 12-month period.

TV Licensing is reminding new students they could face prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 if they are caught watching live TV, or BBC programmes on iPlayer, on any device, without a TV licence.

Matthew Thompson of TV Licensing said: “With many students owning at least one device capable of showing live TV or watching BBC iPlayer it’s important they know the law around being correctly licensed.

“If you’re watching live TV on any device, including mobiles and tablets, or watch catch-up programmes on BBC iPlayer, you need a TV licence.”

If students live in halls of residence and watch live TV or BBC iPlayer programmes in their room, they will need their own TV licence.

Students in shared houses will also require their own licence if they use a TV or device in their room and have a separate tenancy agreement.

Shared houses with joint tenancy agreements require only a single licence for the home.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and young people, said people may be struggling to pay.

He said: “The payment of the TV licence is a legal requirement so anyone that fails to pay, aside from the fact they are breaking the law, they are potentially adding the burden on to other payers and potentially raising the cost to other people.

“It is important that people acknowledge their responsibilities, however I do appreciate that it is a cost and people may be struggling financially at the moment.”