MORE than one thousand people have been caught using a television without a licence, a hall of shame revealed this week.

The figures mean that Harrow is back in TV Licensing's league for the second time this year.

Harrow now lies in 14th place, with 1,027 offenders in the past 12 months, in the South East table which shows the boroughs with the most number of people watching the box illegally.

Of the other contenders for the unwanted accolade, Croydon is the nearest with 1,025 evaders and Hounslow with 929.

But Jane Lodge, spokeswoman for TV Licensing, said she was surprised by Harrow's record, especially as the borough is one of the most prosperous in London.

"Evaders in Harrow should hang their heads in shame at these latest figures. It is unfair that the honest majority of people in Harrow who use TV and have a licence should suffer the knowledge that some of their fellow citizens have brought the name of the area into disrepute," she added.

Licence fee dodgers face a trip to court, a fine of up to £1,000 and they still have to buy a licence.

"This is perhaps the only league where it is good to be relegated," the spokeswoman added.

By.Rachel Clarke