More than 100 residents caught without TV licence in Bexhill

TV licence evaders this week have been warned that the surprise knock on the door this Halloween may not be from 'trick or treaters', it could be from a TV Licensing enquiry officer.

TV Licensing staff will be out and about on the most ghostly night of the year and licence fee dodgers could be in for a shock of a different kind if caught watching TV illegally.

TV Licensing's database of more than 30 million addresses can't tell which properties are haunted, but it can pinpoint which ones are unlicensed.

And with access to hi-tech handheld equipment, enquiry officers don't need a sixth sense to know who is watching TV illegally.

Anyone watching TV without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to 1,000.

Ian Fannon, TV Licensing spokesman, said: "TV Licensing enquiry officers don't down tools just because there are ghosts and ghouls about. We'll be knocking on doors as usual this Halloween and will continue to do so over the winter.

"Obviously we always prefer people to buy a licence than risk prosecution, which is why we offer a range of ways to pay to make it as easy as possible. You can even pay online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/info.

"Don't end up feeling like a pumpkin this Halloween - make sure you are properly licensed so that the only unexpected visit you need to worry about is from trick or treaters."

For more information on ways to pay, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/info.