Some pensioners are so angry about the changes to the law that they are refusing to pay.

And they have the support of high profile campaigners like TalkRADIO host Ian Collins who has shamed the BBC on air for cracking down on the over-75s, who are no longer eligible for a free TV licence.

Another supporter John O’Connell, of pressure group TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "People are being chased for an ever-more expensive TV tax when hard-up households are struggling to make ends meet.

"Heavy-handed enforcement like this shows why the licence fee has to go."

It is a legal requirement to have a TV licence to watch and stream all live broadcast programming in the UK.

Read More