THE FIRST step towards ending the digital divide for television viewers in North Devon is about to take place.

At midnight the old analogue BBC 2 service will be switched off at the Huntshaw Cross transmitter and its 14 relays in the first part of the switchover process.

Services are expected to be restored by 6am in most areas although viewers on the fringes may have to wait until later tomorrow.

As long as people have taken the necessary steps to acquire digital, they will be able to access the new high powered digital channels by re-tuning their equipment.

There will then be a four week delay until the switch over process is completed.

Bill Taylor, South West regional manager of Digital UK, said: "There is a four week 'comfort zone' to enable people with last minute niggles to get them sorted.

"Four weeks later on July 29 analogue is switched off completely. All TV channels you watch through an aerial move to high powered digital.

"That is the crunch. If you don't have a digital solution you won't be able to watch TV."

On both dates people who watch television via an aerial will need to re-tune their equipment.

Mr Taylor added: "Even if you are watching Freeview at the moment, you will have to re-tune on July 1 and July 29 because the frequency and signal strength changes."

Almost all TVs — even old black and white ones — can be converted to digital with a set-top digital box, costing on average £25.

Satellite and cable television does not need to be re-tuned.

Mr Taylor added: "Although these are hard economic times we have no evidence that people cannot switch because they cannot afford a digital box. On the contrary, people usually see telly as a priority."

However, there is a help scheme available for viewers who are 75 or over, disabled or living in care.

Most people in North Devon will switchover with Huntshaw Cross but it may differ for those living in coastal areas.

It all depends which transmitter group their aerial picks up the signal from.

To find out they can go to the Digital UK website and by entering their post code and address, they can find out their switchover date.

The main benefits of digital are that people get more choice — at least 20 TV channels, some radio and interactive telly — plus a better picture and sound.

Mr Taylor added: "Most important, it is fairer. It is the only way of ending the digital divide."

However, for the handful of viewers who have poor analogue TV, the solution may be Freesat — set up jointly by the BBC and ITV — which provides digital TV via a dish without having to pay a subscription.

Some areas of the West Country have already gone digital.

Mr Taylor said: "We have converted 350,000 homes to digital TV and the switchover has gone very smoothly. Everybody has coped well.

"People worry about it in advance but when it comes to it everybody switches successfully.

"Personally, I am sure that will be the case in North Devon."

For those who experience difficulties there are advice points at the following locations on Thursday and Friday from 11am to 4pm — The Candar, Ilfracombe; Torrington Volunteer Centre, Cornmarket Street; Barnstaple Library; Bideford Arts Centre (next to the main Post Office).

There will also be an advice point at the Amory Centre, South Molton, on Thursday from 11am to 2pm.

For more information ring Digital UK on 08456 505050