Minister discusses digital switch

Mr Purnell visited the areas which will be first to switch over

The culture secretary has made a visit to the Borders to see how preparations for the switch to digital television are progressing.

James Purnell travelled across the areas which will lose analogue signals by the end of 2008.

He was invited to take part in a digital forum meeting being held in Newtown St Boswells.

Borders MP Michael Moore said the visit was "very welcome" so soon after Mr Purnell's appointment to his post.

Before the meeting he said he was sure there would be "plenty of things to talk about" during the forum.

"I am confident that Mr Purnell will also be clear after his visit that in the Borders people want to be pioneers where things go right, rather than guinea pigs from whose bad experiences others learn," he added.

Channel concerns

The culture secretary visited Whitehaven, which will be the first place in the UK to switch in October this year.

He then travelled to Carlisle before heading north to the Borders, which is due to lose analogue signals in 2008.

Concerns have been expressed about the number of channels which will be available when the digital change takes place.

A large number of places in the area receive their signal from relay stations, prompting concerns a "two-tier" service could be offered to viewers.