TV licensing investigators are waging war on East Lancashire businesses.

Officials have been contacting local firms to find out if they have a television set on their premises. And those that don't face a visit from the detector van.

Although the vast majority of televisions are in private homes, recent years have seen a sharp increase in the number of firms which have televisions on their premises.

Many firms have televisions installed in staff rest rooms, canteens or executive offices. And they are also increasingly used for training purposes, using both videos and broadcast material.

Licence investigators believe tens of thousands of sets are taken into workplaces for big sporting events such as the Grand National and FA Cup.

One Accrington-based small business owner who was contacted earlier this week said: "They rang up and asked if we had a set in the office but I told him there were only three of us here and we don't have time to watch TV!"

A recent survey also found that many businesses knew they should have a licence but were deliberately flouting the law.

"It is an area we are increasingly looking at," confirmed a spokesman for the TV Licensing Authority.

"Many people don't seem to realise that if they bring a television set in from home to work they need another licence.

"The rules are the same for everyone. If businesses install any equipment to watch or receive television programmes then they need a licence.

"If we do visit and find a business breaking the law the owner or individual responsible for the licence risks personal prosecution and a hefty fine."

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