The great digital switchover is now under way. 

Speaking from his office in Nelson earlier today, the MP said:  “People who get Granada coverage in Pendle are now preparing for digital switchover. Those, like me, who get their signals from Yorkshire transmitters will, unfortunately, have to wait until 2011."

"The border between the two television regions runs through Pendle and people should use the postcode checker at www.digitaluk.co.uk to find out where they get their signal from. Anyone without internet access can call Digital UK’s helpline on 0845 6 50 50 50." 

Digital UK, which is masterminding the switchover, told the MP: “Our information is that Pendle residents living in or around Colne, Trawden, Brierfield and Nelson will get their signal from either Winter Hill or one of its relays.  But in overlap areas, it can depend on individual postcodes, where their aerial is pointing and local topography.”  

Digital UK added: “We are visiting Trawden in early October because we know that nearly 2,500 homes are watching the local relay station there and, across the region, we have identified some confusion regarding availability of Freeview after digital switchover amongst relay transmitter viewers."   

“In short, many viewers who watch a relay transmitter think they will never get Freeview when the opposite is in fact true - after switchover completes on 2 December, these households will get Freeview for the very first time and be able to access anything up to 15 channels via a digital Freeview box (such as BBC 3, BBC 4, More 4 etc).” 

Digital transmissions are, of course, available to everyone via satellite. 

Note to Editors:   The Ofcom map attached shows the Granada relay transmitters.