A PUB owner has been ordered to pay £1,165 after being caught without a TV licence.

Jenny Smalley, who owns the Spinning Jenny, Rimington Avenue, Fern Gore Accrington, was fined the maximum £1,000 for using a TV without a licence on the business premises.

She was also ordered to pay £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge at the hearing on Monday at Blackburn Magistrates Court.

TV Licensing officials have now warned other businesses in East Lancashire to check whether they need a licence.

Any business that shows television, as it is being broadcast, whether for customers’ use or in staff areas, must be covered by a valid TV licence.

If there is living accommodation on the premises where a TV is also in use, this must be covered by a separate licence.

Those without a valid licence run the risk of a court prosecution.

More than 2,700 businesses were caught watching TV without a licence across the UK during 2010 and 2011.

North of England spokesman for TV Licensing Tim Downs said: “We appreciate these are tough times for businesses, but to be fair to the majority who do pay the licence fee, we have to take action against those who watch TV illegally.

“We’d rather businesses think ahead and check if they need a licence than risk being prosecuted.

“A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/business.”

The Spinning Jenny faced prosecution in May last year when it caught screening live football illegally on November 21, 2010.