The hearings reflect a rise of about 10 per cent in the number of people caught evading licence fees in the city. Last year, 1,965 fee dodgers were caught, which is an increase of 200 from 2006 figures.

A spokesman for TV Licensing said: "The rise in the number of evaders caught is due to the increasing effectiveness of TV Licensing's detection methods. TV Licensing's sophisticated database of over 29 million UK addresses allows it to see at the touch of a button which properties are unlicensed.

"Last year, TV Licensing also introduced hi-tech handheld detectors, to use alongside its fleet of detector vans. TV Licensing's success in catching evaders is helping to keep evasion levels at around five per cent nationally.

"The results keep Milton Keynes in first place in TV Licensing's Buckinghamshire League of Shame – the annual table of the worst offending towns and cities for watching TV without a licence – ahead of High Wycombe in second place (503 evaders caught) and Aylesbury in third place (424 evaders caught).

"While TV Licensing is committed to catching evaders, we would much rather people buy a TV licence than risk prosecution, a trip to court and a fine of up to £1,000. We offer a range of ways to pay, including monthly direct debit and the option to spread the cost with weekly payments, so there really is no excuse for breaking the law and watching TV without a licence.

"For more information on how to pay for your TV licence, visit our website at www.tvlicensing.co.uk or call 0844 800 6732."