Freeview viewers living in north Shropshire and part of south Shropshire will need to retune TV’s and boxes today for the second phase of the digital switchover.

The first phase of the switchover was carried out on April 6, a number of TV viewers had teething problems but were shortly solved after a full retune.

The first phase of the digital switchover resulted in transmissions being boosted with analogue viewers receiving a range of extra channels for the first time. Analogue BBC2 was switched off permanently.

The remaining analogue channels were switched off permanently this morning for the second and final stage of the switchover. Freeview channels from ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 will also become available for relay transmitters for the first time.

Peter Monteith, regional manager of Digital UK for the central region, said today’s switchover at The Wrekin transmitter would affect some 280,000 homes in north Shropshire and south Cheshire. He has warned householders that they face losing channels if they don’t conduct a full retune of their televisions and set-top boxes.

The switchover help scheme allows elderly and disabled people to get help to convert. Those who have already signed up can contact 0800 40 85 900. Anyone experiencing problems with the digital switchover can contact the Digital UK helpline on 08456 50 50 50.

People who receive terrestrial TV transmissions from the Sutton Coldfield transmitter, including parts of south east Shropshire, are reminded that the switchover will happen in September.