WITH preparations for the digital TV switchover now well under way residents are reminded that it does not mean they have to throw away their old television sets.

The analogue transmitters at Sudbury, which serves most homes in Suffolk, will be turned off on July 6 for BBC 2 and July 20 for all other analogue channels.

The transmitter at Talconeston, which serves north Suffolk, will be switched off in November.

After these dates residents will not be able to watch television unless they have made arrangements to receive digital TV.

However council chiefs have reminded residents that there should be no need for old televisions to be thrown away after the switchover, as almost any television can easily be converted to digital with a set-top box.

Meanwhile many newer TVs already have digital “freeview” built in and will continue to work as normal.

Andrew Nunn, cabinet member for the green environment at Suffolk Coastal District Council, said: “There are a number of ways to get ready for digital and it does not mean that residents will have to buy a new TV set.

“Residents can continue using their current TV by purchasing a digital set-top box.

“If residents want to buy a new TV they could think about getting an energy efficient one with built in freeview to help save on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.”

Mr Nunn said if residents did decide to throw away their old TV there were several ways it could be recycled or disposed of at household waste sites throughout the district.

“Residents should not be tempted to dump old sets as anyone caught fly tipping can face a large fine and even a prison sentence,” he warned. “As well as being an eyesore, fly tipping can also be dangerous for young children or wildlife as broken glass can easily cause injury.”

For more details visit www.suffolkcoastal.gov.uk/helpingpeople/switchover.