Digital TV switchover continues tonight

The last remaining TV viewers in Shropshire who are yet to receive digital signals will be able to begin making the switch from midnight tonight.

Transmitters which provide analogue signals for fringe areas of the county will start providing digital signals from midnight.

Residents in Ironbridge and Bridgnorth who receive signals from Sutton Coldfield will be able to switch, while people in the north and east of the county, who receive signals from Trenton, will also get a clearer, digital signal, experts say.

Viewers will be following in the footsteps of residents in other parts of Shropshire, who have been receiving digital TV since spring.

The Wrekin transmitter, which covers most of the county, made the switch in April.

Experts say residents who have experienced problems caused by weak digital signals since spring can expect improved coverage, because their signal will also become much stronger.

The change happens tonight when the analogue signal from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter is switched off for BBC2. It provides coverage for the majority of people in the West Midlands.

Those who have not yet prepared for the digital switchover could face blank screens tomorrow morning.

As the largest television transmitter outside London and the Home Counties, the Sutton Coldfield transmitter serves more than two million homes.

A team of engineers will be at the main transmitter and a series of 35 relay transmitters across the region as the large-scale operation gets under way.

Peter Monteith, Digital UK central regional manager, said: "What will happen overnight is that the BBC2 analogue signal will be switched off."

People who use Freeview will need to retune their television.

The switchover is being done in two stages, with the rest of the analogue channels being switched off on September 21.

Digital UK bosses believe around nine in 10 homes in the West Midlands are now ready for the switchover although Mr Monteith admits there are still 'a few' who risk losing all channels.

The digital switchover is a £600 million national programme.

The Switchover Help Scheme has been set up to help viewers. Call 08456 505050.