Dave West examines a variety of perspectives on today's analogue TV switch-off in Whitehaven as the UK gets ready for a nationwide digital switchover.

"On the whole, it's a pain," is the view of Katrina Shields. The 40-year-old Whitehaven resident was clear what she thinks about the beginning of the UK's analogue television switch off.

But what does everyone else think of today's change, its place in UK broadcasting and what it means for the future?

Here are some views from movers, shakers and everyone else:

Culture secretary James Purnell - Thinks today is a key step in a process that has already seen 80 per cent of households get a digital set. He said: "Digital switchover is about completing the process, ensuring fairness for viewers, and is essential if we are to meet our goal of providing universal access to quality broadcasting. Without it, millions would be stuck in an analogue ghetto."

Margaret Sykes, Whitehaven pensioner - Speaking at the town's Crosby's cafe earlier this week, she said she is well up on the change: "You couldn't not be after the campaign we've had here. I can't imagine how anyone could have missed out on all the information. We've been bombarded day and night."

Peter Heslop, from Arqiva, the company running the technical side of the switchover - Speaking yesterday, he was tentatively positive: "Nothing in this life is 100 per cent certain but I can tell you all the equipment has been fully tested. So, as certain as we can be, there will be no technical hitches tonight."

Alan Cleaver, deputy editor of the Whitehaven News - Writing last week, he said: "Over the last ten months, Digital UK, the not for profit body set up to manage analogue switch off, has spent an astonishing amount of time and money educating everyone about switchover. And it really does seem to have worked. The coffee shops echo to the sound of discussion about Scart leads and digiboxes. I even overheard the ladies Scrabble circle swapping notes about the best way to pick up channel Five on a DVD recorder."

Broadcasting minister Shaun Woodward - Announcing the switch-off date in March, he said: "We've been fully engaged with preparing Whitehaven for a long time and it will - I underline that - be a success. Nobody in Whitehaven will be left behind because it is critical everybody understands it is happening."

Dave Clarke, Cumbria county councillor and chairman of the adult social care scrutiny panel: Talking about preparations, Clarke explained: "Switching to digital can be a daunting prospect if you're an older person. I know that in some of our care homes just putting a digibox on top of each TV simply would not work. Some residents have Alzheimers, others are bewildered by the range of buttons and choice offered on a digibox."

Jane Lighting, chief executive of Five - This week hailed digital switch-over as a chance for her channel, and others, to grab the initiative and attract young viewers who have been slipping away. She said: "Digital switchover offers broadcasters a unique opportunity to reclaim the young. DTT is bound to be the platform that most of them will choose. Its offering will much more limited than those of its cable and satellite rivals. Nonetheless, Freeview will offer a vastly bigger choice than analogue terrestrial TV.

"If they are offered the right choices, they could well find much to their liking... This is our chance to salvage the future of our industry. We must not let it slip through our fingers. Let us make switchover our pied piper."

Ten per cent of people have never heard of the digital switchover, according to Virgin Media, while two thirds still aren't prepared for the transition. The first stage of the UK's complete transition to digital TV begins tomorrow in Whitehaven, Cumbria, but Virgin doesn't think everybody is ready.

Comedian Ricky Tomlinson - Virgin Media has carried out a survey showing 15 per cent of people did not want to ditch their analogue television. Tomlinson stars in a video on its website explaining the benefits. "To be honest I was baffled by the whole idea of the digital switchover," he said. "The online video explains in a fun way the different options available, giving handy tips and advice to help everyone get their head around it."