CARAVAN owners are being reminded they need a licence if they plan to watch live television.

TV Licensing has issued the warning as thousands of people descend on Weymouth for their summer holidays.

Richard Chapman, spokesman for TV Licensing, said it was important people from Weymouth understood the licensing requirements if they planned to watch TV in their holiday homes.

He added: “Being caught watching TV without a licence could put a real dampener on your holidays – we want people to ensure that they stay on the right side of the law. The law says that anyone who owns a static caravan or mobile home, and watches or records TV here, is not covered by their home licence if TV is simultaneously being viewed by someone else in their main residence.

“In this case, a separate licence is needed to cover the holiday accommodation.”

No licence is needed for a touring caravan so long as a valid TV licence is held for the main home address.