Darlington is the latest area to be put under the spotlight in a campaign targeting television licence dodgers.

Target Zero is the TV Licensing campaign which is driving towards zero evasion in the UK.

Comprehensive up-to-date information on evaders in the town is held on the company's computer database and enquiry officers will be homing in on people who persist in using a television without a valid licence in the DL postcode area.

Where licence evasion is suspected detection equipment can enable officers to determine in seconds whether a television is being used. These evaders will have already received letters to their homes, warning them to buy a licence before they receive a visit.

Mark Auslebrook, regional manager for TV Licensing North, said: "Since July 1999, we have caught over 2,500 evaders in Darlington as a result of our enforcement activity. Despite publicity campaigns and mail drops there are still people in Darlington without a licence.

"Our message to evaders is simple: We're serious about evasion and we will find you."

The maximum penalty for watching a television without a licence is a fine of £1,000.

TV Licensing has introduced a range of 12 payment schemes, making it easier to spread the cost of a £104 licence. For more details telephone (08705) 226666.

The company stresses that people who genuinely do not have a television have nothing to worry about. But checks made by enquiry officers have found that one in five people in the UK who claim not to have a television are not telling the truth