TV switchover proceeds 'smoothly'

The Borders is the first full region in the UK to go digital

The last remaining analogue TV signals in the Borders have been switched off as the region goes fully digital.

More than 50,000 households in south east Scotland were affected by the move at about midnight on Wednesday.

The process started a fortnight ago when BBC2 was switched off to be replaced by the BBC's digital channels.

Digital UK - which has been overseeing the scheme - said the change had gone "smoothly" and the region was leading the way for the rest of the UK.

The Scottish Borders is the first full region to move to digital.

A previous trial switchover took place at Whitehaven in Cumbria.

The first step in the process in the Borders came with the switch off of analogue BBC2 on 6 November.

The remaining channels followed overnight between Wednesday and Thursday in what Digital UK called a programme to "transform Scotland's television service".

I will be monitoring the situation very closely over the next few days and will be in contact with Digital UK Jeremy Purvis MSP

The switchover was completed by the main Selkirk transmitter by about 0300 GMT, with digital channels expected to be available from all relays by 1600 GMT.

Digital UK regional manager John Askew said there had been no hitches.

"I'm pleased to report that the technical transition has gone smoothly and from today many more viewers will be able to receive digital TV free via an aerial," he said.

"The success of this first full-scale switchover is a tribute to the years of preparation by all those involved and to the people of the Borders who are leading the way for the rest of the UK."

Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP Jeremy Purvis said he would be watching the process closely.

"With the first stage of the switchover there were problems, particularly up the A68 corridor," he said.

"Many constituents had been in touch with me to voice their frustration.

"I will be monitoring the situation very closely over the next few days and will be in contact with Digital UK."

He added there were still concerns that homes served by relay transmitters would have fewer channels than those on main transmitters.