BOLTON over-75s are being urged to make sure they don't miss out on free TV licences which came into force next Wednesday.

Some 12,161 households are entitled to a free licence and most eligible households should receive their distinctive yellow and black licence before the end of the year.

Licensing chiefs have assured anyone who has already supplied their date of birth details to TV Licensing that their application is being processed and are urging patience.

But they have stressed that licenses for the Over-75s must still be applied for and anyone who fails to do so and does not have a valid licence will still be liable to prosecution.

Households where someone over-75 lives but is not currently the TV licence holder are being advised to have it changed to the older person's name so they will be eligible for a free licence.

Jon Abrahams, head of TV licensing contact centres, who was in town to publicise the licences, said: "Everyone who has applied will receive their over-75 licence and any refund they are entitled to as quickly as possible."

Anyone entitled to a licence who has not yet applied should contact the Over-75 helpline on 0845 6036999 or 0845 6023334 and be ready to give their name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.