THE number of people prosecuted for avoiding television licence payments in North Yorkshire has been revealed.

A survey which was compiled from Freedom Of Information requests showed that nationally, in 2016, there were 184,595 people charged for TV licence offences.

These would be fined according to their income.

In North Yorkshire, there were 255 prosecutions in 2016, 179 of which were against women, with 157 of those found guilty.

Seventy-six which were against men, of whom 64 were found guilty.

The figures in North Yorkshire were among the lowest in the country - 36th out of the 38 police force areas which responded to the survey - with only Essex and Devon and Cornwall showing lower prosecution rates.

The report was put together to support and promote a petition called ‘End the BBC Licence Fee’.

This is currently active online at 38degrees.org.uk which has already been signed by 225,000 people.