TELEVISION viewers in Huddersfield have been left confused by letters telling them they could lose channels this year.

Anyone with a TV set in the UK has to switch from an analogue to a digital connection by 2012.

Different parts of the country will lose their analogue signal – which currently provides access to channels BBC One to Five – at different points between now and then.

Yorkshire’s analogue signal is due to go in 2011.

But householders in Huddersfield have received mail telling them they are in the Granada area and could start to lose channels from November 4.

The letters, from the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme – designed to help people make the change – say they need to take action if they do not already have digital TV.

John Halstead, manager of Broadbents electricals shop in Lockwood, said: “The BBC seems to have created a great deal of worry and confusion about digital switch over in areas of Huddersfield. I rang the helpline for digital switchover to point out that this area is covered by Yorkshire – not Granada.

“Although the helpdesk confirm a mistake had been made and accepted that some people may have been confused by the letter, no-one was available to talk about how this could be rectified.”

He added: “At this time, the digital signal covering Huddersfield is only being transmitted from Emley Moor. Until switchover, the digital signal is being transmitted on low power, so that it does not interfere with the normal analogue system.”

But the Switchover Help Scheme insists some people in Huddersfield may be affected when the analogue signal from a transmitter in Lancashire is turned off in November.

A spokeswoman said: “It’s true that West Yorkshire is not due to switch until 2011.

“However, the Granada TV signal is going completely digital from November this year.

“It’s likely that some people in Yorkshire may be watching TV from that Winter Hill transmitter, and if they don’t switch now there’s a chance they will not be able to continue watching their favourite programmes at switchover.

“We want to make sure that no eligible older or disabled person risks losing their TV services so we have mailed people outside the switching region who may be affected, including people in Huddersfield.”

For more information about the switchover scheme visit www.helpscheme.co.uk or call 0800 4085900.