FREEVIEW viewers in the Malvern area may need to re-tune their TV equipment in March to continue watching programmes.

Some Freeview channels are moving to new airwaves to allow for the future development of new mobile broadband services.

Following a decision by government, transmitters across the UK are being updated region by region as part of a major engineering programme being carried out between now and 2020.

The required changes will take place at the Malvern transmitter on the flank of North Hill on Thursday, March 1, and Wednesday, March 7.

On both dates, changes will begin shortly after midnight and Freeview channels will be off-air overnight. Work is expected to be completed by 6am. After this, any viewers receiving their TV signal from here who find they are missing channels can re-tune. Satellite and cable TV are not affected.

Around 58,000 homes are served by this transmitter. Freeview will be running an information campaign to prepare people for the change, including advertising and on-screen messages.

Re-tuning should be straightforward and some TV equipment will re-tune automatically. Anyone who needs advice, or who finds they are still missing services after re-tuning, can visit the Freeview website at www.freeview.co.uk/tvchanges or contact the Freeview Advice Line free on 0808 100 0288.

Some older aerials may need to be replaced to continue receiving all channels. Help may be available for viewers where this is the case.

Further information is available online at www.freeview.co.uk/tvchanges.