The owners of a pub have been fined hundreds of pounds after being caught without a TV licence.

DPO Bars was ordered to pay a fine of £220 by magistrates for failing to obtain the licence for The Royal Oak Public House, in Halstead High Street.

The company was also ordered to pay £120 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

All pubs are required to have a TV licence if they broadcast live TV to customers or staff.

Cody Want, TV Licensing spokesman for the South East, said: “We appreciate these are tough times for businesses, but to be fair to the majority who do pay the licence fee, we have to take action against those who watch TV illegally.

“We’d rather businesses think ahead and check if they need a licence than risk being prosecuted. A licence costs £150.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo.”

The Royal Oak pub has been but up for sale by DPO Bars and is on the market for £339,750.