A TOTAL of 25 people still watch their televisions in black and white in Oxfordshire, it has been revealed, as the 50th anniversary of colour TV on BBC One is celebrated.

New data from TV Licensing revealed there were 25 black and white TV Licences in force across Oxfordshire at the end of September1, down from 30 for the same period in 2018.

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The number of black and white licences has declined considerably over the years. Across the UK, there were 6,586 in force at the end of September 2019 - 575 less than the same time last year.

In 2000 this figure stood at 212,000.

The figures show that despite the rapid growth of smart TVs, smart phones and tablets to access TV content, a large number of households still appear to enjoy the nostalgia of monochrome TV sets.

They remain popular with collectors, with vintage and portable TV sets regularly traded online.

BBC One launched its full colour service on 15 November 1969.

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The new service was also extended to ITV, bringing them in line with BBC Two, which had been offering colour programmes - including Wimbledon, the Olympic Games and The Eurovision Song Contest - since 1967 under controller, David Attenborough.

Some of the first programmes showing in colour on BBC One on November 15 included Star Trek and Dixon of Dock Green, The Harry Secombe Show and Match of the Day, plus the feature film, The Prisoner of Zenda.