A new crackdown in the borough starts today targeting viewers who have not paid their licence fee.

In the first five months of this year, more than 500 dodgers were caught in South Tyneside.

Anyone caught watching or recording TV programmes without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

The campaign will target homes on the TV Licensing's comprehensive database of almost 30 million addresses, which are shown not to have a licence.

Bosses launched a campaign last month reminding people of when they need a licence, how they can pay for one and where to go should they need more information.

As part of the campaign, TV Licensing wrote to unlicensed addresses in South Tyneside, warning them inspectors will be coming to the area.

Charlotte Hancock, TV Licensing spokeswoman for northern England, said: "TV Licensing has a duty to catch people who try to watch TV without a licence on behalf of the honest majority who pay.

"We would always rather people buy a TV Licence than risk prosecution – which is why we make it as easy as possible to pay. We work hard to ensure people are aware of the licensing requirements.

"We appreciate that some people might find it difficult to pay the whole fee at once, which is why we offer a range of ways to spread the cost into monthly or weekly payments and include options to pay online and by text message."