Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the director-general, said the focus would be on helping older viewers to pay their TV licence

The BBC director-general has admitted that some people in their 80s and 90s could be hauled to court after free TV licences for the over-75s are abolished.

From June, only people above the age of 75 who claim pension credit will be entitled to a free licence. Older pensioners who are unable or unwilling to pay £157.50 a year face the prospect of criminal prosecution if they continue to watch their televisions. Up to 3.75 million viewers will be affected.

Appearing before the digital, culture, media and sport select committee yesterday, Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the director-general, acknowledged it was “conceivable” that octogenarians could end up in court, but that the focus would be on helping them to pay. “We will do absolutely everything