Some of the excuses people gave for not paying for a TV licence have been revealed as licensing officers uncover a host of pitiful reasons given by viewers across East Anglia.

'It's only the kids who watch TV and they have been naughty, so I've stopped their pocket money for a few months and now they are behind on their payments,' said one imaginative King's Lynn resident when they were challenged for not paying their licence.

Microwave ovens, parrots and the King of Scotland also feature in the list of implausible excuses for not having a TV Licence given over the last year.

Another viewer from Norwich used the excuse: 'I don't need a licence, I'm a hologram from Red Dwarf.'

One of the best excuses for not having a TV licence was this one from a viewer in Lincoln: 'Yes, the TV is on but I don't watch it. It's only on for my parrot, Captain Jack Sparrow, who is learning the theme tune to Bargain Hunt.'

Many from the list of excuses have been turned into animations by five of the UK's leading animation universities in a bid to win a national competition.

Prizes will be awarded for the People's Choice and the Judges' Award, made by a panel of animation industry experts.

Mark Whitehouse, TV Licensing spokesperson for the Midlands and East Anglia, said: 'The students' animations are highly imaginative but we're not so impressed with the creative approach to excuses, as watching or recording live TV without a licence is against the law.

'Even though we're effective at catching evaders, we'd always prefer people pay than risk a maximum £1,000 fine. For those who may find it difficult to pay in one go, we offer a range of payment options to spread the cost.'

The winner of the People's Choice film will be based on the highest number of 'likes' received on the TV Licensing YouTube channel. Viewers will have until 5pm on 4th March to vote for their favourites.

• For more information on ways to pay for a TV licence visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/payinfo