The switchover process in Whitehaven started at 0200 GMT. Then at 0327 GMT, 20 Freeview channels and 10 radio stations began broadcasting.

Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK, the organisation overseeing digital switchover, said: "This is a big day for the area and for television in the UK."

Helping the elderly

Age Concern had been working closely with Digital UK to prevent confusion amongst pensioners.

Claire Dobson from the charity said people had found the whole experience "positive".

"It was shown after the October switchover that very few people had any major issues about what was going on," she said.

She said one 95-year-old man who had sought advice had later told Age Concern that he thought re-tuning was "a doddle".

There will still be help for those who are not so confident. The Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been set up for people who are over the age of 75 or registered disabled.

Out of 9,000 people who are eligible in the area, more than 2,500 have opted for assistance.

Meanwhile, sales of digital TVs, set-top boxes and scart leads have continued to soar in the town.