FORTY years since viewers first watched the World Cup in colour, 66 families in East Lancashire could watch the 2010 tournament in black and white.

Mexico 1970 was the first World Cup broadcast in colour.

But now, as millions across the UK gear up to watch this year’s competition on the latest technology, TV Licensing has revealed at least 41 homes in Blackburn and 25 houses in Burnley are still watching television in black and white.

Around 25,000 homes across the UK will be enjoying this year’s tournament in old-fashioned monochrome, just as in 1966, when England last won the trophy.

TV Licensing is reminding people that whatever equipment you use to watch this summer’s tournament, whether a black and white or colour TV, computer, mobile phone or games console, you need a TV Licence if you want to watch or record the coverage as it is being shown on TV.

A colour TV Licence currently cost £145.50 and a black and white TV Licence costs £49.