AMAZON Prime viewers are being warned they will need to invest in a TV licence if they choose to take on the company's expanded service.

The online streaming service announced this week it will offer live television channels for the first time in the UK.

Customers who subscribe to the service can pay an extra monthly fee to gain access to channels such as ITV, Eurosport, and the Discovery channel.

People who plan to use the new service, but may not have a TV licence, are being warned they will need to get one to avoid prosecution.

Matthew Thompson, from TV Licensing, said: “If you watch or record live television, either through your television or live online through a website, then you need to be covered by a TV licence.

"You also need a licence to watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, on any device.

"This change will not affect the huge majority of households which are already licensed. Around 94 per cent of people are correctly licensed so are already covered to watch live TV online.”

A colour TV licence costs £147 a year, and for more information about licensing, visit tvlicensing.co.uk/info.