Yesterday (Wednesday), Border Television viewers woke up to a new digital dawn, with the remaining analogue channels switched off and replaced with new digital services. John Askew, Digital UK’s Border regional manager, said the technical transition had gone well, adding: “People in Cumbria have responded really well in adapting to the change and preparing in good time.”

The changes complete the switchover process, which started on June 24, and have enabled many households in the region to access channels, such as E4, ITV 2 and even Channel 5, for the very first time. In order to view the channels, viewers had to retune their digital TVs and set top boxes, but Terry Williams, community officer at Age Concern South Lakeland, said many older people had struggled the second time around. He said more than 20 people had contacted the charity for advice following the transition, adding: “It seems to have been a bit more complicated than people envisaged.

THE majority of Cumbrians took the first step into the digital era this morning.

Shortly after midnight, BBC2 was permanently switched off, freeing up the airwaves for the BBC’s full range of digital channels.

For Border Television viewers -the long-awaited digital switchover has arrived.

The latest research by Digital UK revealed 85 per cent of households had converted their main television set to digital, but it also showed that hundreds of people were yet to take action.

“Cumbria is well prepared for switchover and many viewers are looking forward to getting digital TV for the first time,” said John Askew, Digital UK’s Regional Manager for the Border TV region. “While the process will be straightforward for most people, we know that some viewers may need a bit of extra help so we will be working with all our partner organisations to offer support for those, who need it throughout the switchover period.”

The changes that took place this morning effect people served by the Caldbeck transmitter group, with Granada TV viewers served by the Winter Hill transmitter group making the switch in November.