BLACK and white is still alright for 34 residents in the town, figures have revealed.

According to figures released by TV Licensing, after nearly 46 years of colour TV, there are still 34 black and white licences in force in Ipswich.

Despite the historic switch to digital television last year, and an increase in sales of flat screen televisions, tablets, laptops and smart-phones, more than 13,000 UK households still use a black and white TV.

John Trenouth, a television and radio technology historian, said: “The continued use of black and white TV sets is more likely to be driven by economics than by nostalgia.

“For low-income households the black and white licence fee (£49) is an attractive alternative to the full colour fee (£145.50). Maybe these will still be around ten years from now, when the number of black and white licences will have fallen to a few hundred – about the same number that were in use on the opening night of BBC television 70 years ago.”

n Do you still have a black and white TV? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN, or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk