Digital switchover in two Welsh villages

Two Welsh villages have become the first areas in the UK to lose their analogue signal.

Around 460 households in Ferryside and Llanstephan went digital-only last night as part of a government pilot scheme. Lessons learnt from the trial will aid in the national switchover process, which is due to begin in 2008.

The 1,200 villagers agreed to take part after digital transmissions began in the region last November. Households have been provided with set-top boxes, a support helpline has been set up and one-to-one support has been made available for the elderly.

Project team member Stella Thomas said: "People have been more open to change than perhaps we have given them credit for in rural areas."