Hosts have been urged to ensure they have the correct TV licences after two pubs were fined £1,000 — the maximum penalty — for not having them.

Paul Wilson of the Commercial Inn, Bridgewater, and David Marsh of the Hill Tavern, Dudley, were also ordered to pay £300 in court costs.

TV Licensing spokesman Jon Shaw said: “We would always rather pubs and other businesses ensure they are correctly licensed rather than risk prosecution and a fine.

“Our database of more than 30 million addresses tells us exactly which properties are unlicensed, so it’s just not worth the risk.”

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