IMAGINE not being able to distinguish between the blue and the black balls watching snooker on TV.

Who’s just scored – Fulham or Wolves? And was the ball on the line or out in that crucial rally at Wimbledon?

Watching sport in black and white seems a major throwback for most of us — but in 2011 it was the reality for more than 50 households in the Taunton area that didn't have colour sets, according to TV Licensing.

In 2011, there were among 730 monochrome viewers across the South-West who hadn’t caught up with the colour revolution introduced in this country over 50 years ago.

Warren Carr, spokesperson for TV Licensing for South-West, said at the time: “There are more ways than ever before for people to watch their favourite sporting events, whether on the move via their smartphone, on the latest high definition, flat screen TVs or on an old-fashioned black and white set.

“However you choose to keep up with this great summer of sport, it’s important to be aware of the need to be covered by a valid TV licence to watch or record programmes at the same time as they’re shown on TV.”

Colour TV owners may laugh at the monochrome brigade – but in 2011 a black and white licence cost just £49 a year compared to the £145.50 bill for colour at that time. It is now £169.50 a year for a colour TV licence, and £57 for black and white.

As of March 31 2023, there were 4,000 black and white TV Licences in force across the UK, TV Licensing states.

Do you know anyone who still has a black-and-white box? If so, get in touch at milly.vincent@newsquest.co.uk.