TV licensing bosses today warned more than 4,000 Bradford businesses of a new crackdown under way in the district.

A blacklist of business premises has been drawn-up targeting specific sectors of industry which are known to be most likely to be using televisions without a licence.

And the crackdown in Bradford is being backed-up by an advertising campaign - the first targeted specifically at businesses.

Those sectors being specifically targeted are: retail, restaurants, construction, computing, motor garages, travel agencies, book and music publishers, food and drink manufacturers, and banking and finance.

Deborah Copeland, TV Licensing spokesperson in the North, said: "More companies than ever before in Bradford have a TV at work, but our research shows that many businesses may not be properly licensed.

"Often this is because people at work think someone else is responsible for buying the TV Licence, but in the end no one does. With the prospect of a trip to court and a £1,000 fine this could be an expensive and embarrassing mistake to make."

Research shows that half of all small business finance directors don't know whether or not they need a TV licence, while two thirds don't know who in their company would be responsible for buying one.

Ms Copeland added: "This crack down is a wake up call to businesses in Bradford. If they use or install television equipment to receive programmes, they are legally required to have a valid TV licence.

"We would much rather that businesses were properly licensed in the first place but if they're not, then they should know that they can expect a visit from our enquiry officers."

Stephen Alambritis, of the Federation of Small Businesses, backed the call.

"All businesses need to be aware of the TV Licensing regulations and how they might affect them," he said. "Rather than face the prospect of prosecution, we would urge our members and all other businesses to double check that they have a valid TV licence."

For more information about TV licensing, telephone 0870 2430654.