The digital switchover will take place in the Borders in 2008

Whitehaven in Cumbria has already switched off its analogue signal but the Scottish Borders will be the first full region to switch over.

Digital UK, the company behind the introduction of the new service, said the process would continue with south-west Scotland in 2009.

Most other parts of Scotland will be switched over to digital in 2010.

The Scottish rollout will conclude with the Black Hill transmitter area, which includes Glasgow, in 2011.

SWITCHOVER DATES Selkirk (Border) 6 November 2008 Caldbeck (Border) Q2 2009 Angus (STV North) 2010 Rosemarkie (STV North) 2010 Knockmore (STV North) 2010 Eitshal (STV North) 2010 Durris (STV North) 2010 Bressay (STV North) 2010 Rumster Forest (STV North) 2010 Keelylang Hill (STV North) 2010 Craigkelly (STV Central) 2010 Darvel (STV Central) 2010 Rosneath (STV Central) 2010 Black Hill (STV Central) 2011

Digital UK said that by 2010 anyone in the old Grampian TV area, effectively anyone north of Perth, would have to retune to the new digital service.

In central Scotland the switchover will begin in 2010 but it will not be completed until 2011.

The company said the size of population and the number of small relay transmitters meant it would be staged by transmitter over two years.

There has been criticism that not enough has been done to prepare people in the Borders.

Digital UK said it had done what it could and the onus was now on the public to get ready.

The company's regional manager John Askew said it would do everything it could to ensure everyone got the help and support they needed to make the switch to digital.

"Today's announcement is good news for the Scottish Borders and for Scotland as a whole," he said.

"This region will lead the rest of Scotland towards digital television and the benefits it provides."