LOCAL MP WELCOMES ASSURANCE THAT BORDERERS WILL RECEIVE SCOTTISH TV AFTER SWITCHOVER

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Mar 2007

Scottish TV on digital switchover

Local MP Michael Moore has welcomed an assurance from Digital UK that viewers in the Borders who receive their television signal from the Caldbeck transmitter will be able to watch Scottish television after switchover.

Speaking at the fourth Borders Digital Forum last Friday, John Askew, the Regional Manager of Digital UK, the organisation that is implementing digital television switchover, announced that the Caldbeck transmitter will transmit both the English television signal and the Scottish television signal.

Mr Moore had been approached by constituents in Newcastleton concerned that, once switchover comes, they will be restricted to only receiving English news and programming. This is particularly important for farmers, many of whom rely on Scottish farming programmes to keep up-to-date on farming developments, as well as sports fans.

Speaking after the announcement, Mr Moore said:

"I am delighted with this news, which will come as a relief to a great deal of my constituents who live near to the Border and who were understandably worried about what would happen after switchover. Digital UK is to be congratulated on this decision."