Support for digital switch town

A billboard with a digital countdown has been erected in the town

Residents at the forefront of the digital TV revolution are being recruited to help prepare their community for the switchover.

Whitehaven in Cumbria will become the UK's first town to lose its analogue signal on 17 October.

Now Age Concern has joined forces with Digital UK to help those who have not yet upgraded their equipment.

Volunteers do not have to be technical experts as training will be provided, stressed a Digital UK spokeswoman.

Whitehaven's BBC Two signal will be the first channel to go, with the remaining analogue channels turned off on 14 November.

'Commitment'

By that date, all televisions will need to be connected to Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband in order to receive broadcasts.

Sarah-Jane Gray from Digital UK said: "We're not looking for people to explain anything technical, just to provide support for friends, relatives or neighbours.

"You don't have to be a boffin and you don't have to make a great commitment. Even if you've only got an hour a week to spend with someone in the community, that would be fantastic."

A team of seven people has already been recruited and is working with community groups in the area, she added.

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