A PUB landlady has been fined after showing top football matches without a proper licence.

Christine Birtwistle, who runs The Winchester in Hapton, admitted putting on games including the Champions League clash between Manchester United and Benfica, and Carling Cup ties between Newcastle and Chelsea and between Liverpool and Arsenal.

She said she had not subscribed to BskyB for a public broadcast licence because they were too expensive, Reedley magistrates were told.

Mrs Birtwistle pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving broadcasts.

The court was told that a licence for showing the games would have cost the pub almost £400 a month, rather than the £45 cost for a domestic licence. She was fined £535 and told to pay £945 costs.

Karen O'Rourke, prosecuting for the Federation Against Copyright Theft, said three visits were made to the pub, in Cobden Street, between December and January when inspectors saw matches being shown in the bar.

A red dot on the screen showed the broadcasts were domestic rather than publicly licensed.

Geoff Sutcliffe, treasurer of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, said the majority of pubs in the area screened the games, despite warnings from the LVA that it was illegal.