HUNDREDS of people were caught watching TV without a licence in the Epping Forest district last year, new figures have revealed.

According to data released today, Loughton has one of the worst rates in the area, with 159 households found dodging the fee in 2009.

In Chigwell 157 people were caught, as were exactly 100 individuals in Waltham Abbey.

No figures are available for Epping as they are included in the numbers for the Harlow area, where a total of 796 people were caught last year.

Ian Fannon, a spokesman for TV Licensing said: “On behalf of the vast majority of people who pay for their TV licence, we work hard to catch those who attempt to cheat the system.

“These figures demonstrate that there really is no hiding place for TV licence evaders, and we continue to be highly effective at catching them.”

A colour television license costs £142.50. Anyone not holding a TV licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.