A WOMAN aged 104 was sent a warning letter telling her enforcement officers would be paying her a visit for failing to have a TV licence.

The notice was posted to Margaret Doherty’s own address in Shore Street, Gourock, by TV Licensing even though her family had told them the house was now empty. 

It said that she could face a fine of up to £1,000 if she was caught watching or recording live TV or even on BBC iPlayer.

Her shocked son found the letter and was left incensed by the ‘scare tactics’.

The TV Licensing Board was contacted by the Tele and apologised for any distress.

Michael, 77, who lives in Regent Court, said: “Honestly I think it is terrible.

“They want to send enforcement officers to her door.

“My mum would have heart failure if she knew.

“I look after her house and regularly check up that everything is okay.

“My mum has paid every bill in her life and taken care of everything since I can remember.

“This would be a major embarrassment to her. We’d told the TV Licensing that there was nobody living there.”

The letter stated that there was no record of a licence at the address and warned they would be visiting this month as a result. 

Fiercely independent Margaret stayed in her own home in Shore Street until the age of 102 before ill health forced her into Alt-na-Craig.

In January she celebrated her 104th birthday in the nursing home surrounded by family including her daughter Evelyn, who lives in Slough.

Margaret, who was born in January 1913, lost her daughter Veronica, aged 68, four years ago.

She brought her family up in Ann Street with husband Michael, who she was married to for 51 happy years before he passed away 27 years ago.

Her son said: “We were one of the first to get a TV set in the street, so she has been paying a TV licence for long enough.”

TV Licensing bosses told the Telegraph: “We’re sorry for any concern caused by the letters sent to Mrs Doherty’s property.

“When we’re notified of a vacant address, we stop sending letters for a period of time.

“This is only temporary, as circumstances can change, for example, new occupants may have moved in or residents may now require a licence.

“The mailings did not carry Mrs Doherty’s name.

“We would like to thank Mrs Doherty’s family for getting in touch and have stopped letters to the address for a further six months.”