AS TWO television channels celebrate 50 years of broadcasting in colour this week, it's been revealed there are still households in Herefordshire with a black and white TV licence.

At the end of September, there were seven black and white TV licences in force in the county, and nationwide the overall number continue to decline.

There may be a financial reason for the seven households hanging onto a black and white licence, as they save more than £100 by not opting for a full licence.

Across the UK there were 6,586 black and white TV licences in force at the end of September, a fall of 575 on the same time last year. In 2000, this figure stood at 212,000.

Rachel Roberts, from TV Licensing, said: "When BBC One launched its colour TV service in November 1969, there were only three channels available.

"Fast forward to 2019, and more than half (53%) of TV households have in some way an internet connection to their TV and access to hundreds of channels.

"Whilst only accounting for a very small proportion it's interesting to know that some households still like to watch their favourite shows on a black and white telly."

BBC One launched its full colour service on 15 November 1969.

The new service was also extended to ITV, bringing them in line with BBC Two, which had been offering colour programmes - including Wimbledon, the Olympic Games and The Eurovision Song Contest - since 1967 under controller, David Attenborough.

Programmes showing in colour included Star Trek and Dixon of Dock Green, The Harry Secombe Show and Match of the Day, plus the feature film The Prisoner of Zenda.

Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the first colour broadcasting on two of Britain's major terrestrial channels.