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Gravesend has topped the league with the number of people with black and white TVs

A 1950s black and white television
A 1950s black and white television

Figures released by TV Licensing show that Gravesham has the largest number of people with black and white televisions.

Across the country, the number has dropped by 12%, with fewer than 12,000 sets now in use.

At the turn of the millennium there were 212,000 black and white licences issued, but by 2003 that number had shrunk to 93,000.

In 2006, the number was less than 50,000 and today just 11,550 black and white licences remain in force across the UK.

According to this year’s figures, there are 12 black and white TV Licences in force in Dartford, and 21 in Gravesend.

It has been nearly 48 years since colour transmissions began.

TV Licensing spokesman Emma Cowlard said: “Today’s figures show, even in the digital age, more than 11,000 homes still watch their favourite programmes on black and white televisions.

"We may be on the brink of losing black and white sets to the history books, but older technology will always be replaced by exciting new ways of watching live."

Top 10 black and white towns in Kent:

  • Gravesend: 21
  • Ashford: 17
  • Folkestone: 14
  • Chatham: 13
  • Maidstone: 13
  • Dartford: 12
  • Tonbridge: 12
  • Margate: 10
  • Gillingham: 9
  • Rainham: 9

The cost of a black and white TV Licence remains frozen at £49 until BBC Charter Review in 2016.

A colour licence costs £145.50.

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