A VIEWER who claimed they did not need a TV licence because their aerial only works in certain weather has been highlighted as one of the more creative examples of licence fee dodging.

The TV Licensing authority has published a list of the most implausible excuses given in the past year.

It includes a Basildon resident who said: “I can only see live TV when the weather is right, as my aerial coat hanger only works in certain conditions. As it is very intermittent, I don’t need a TV licence.”

Other Essex examples include a viewer in Harwich, who said: “My TV only goes on at night when I am asleep in case I get burgled and the burglar wants to watch it.”

Ben Craig, TV Licensing spokesman for London and the South East, said: “Even though we’re effective at catching evaders, we’d always prefer people pay than risk a maximum £1,000 fine.

“For those who may find it difficult to pay in one go, we offer a range of payment options to spread the cost.”

Visit tvlicensing.co.uk/payinfo