Around 530,000 homes in parts of Suffolk and Essex may need to retune their television equipment next week to continue watching some Freeview channels.

To allow for the future development of new mobile broadband services, some Freeview channels are moving to new airwaves on Wednesday, August 1.

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

The required changes will begin at the Sudbury transmitter group shortly after midnight and Freeview channels will be off-air overnight until 6am. After this, any viewers receiving their television signal from the main Sudbury transmitter who find they are missing channels can retune.

Services from smaller local transmitters may be subject to disruption until late afternoon. Satellite and cable television are not affected.

Freeview says it will be running an information campaign to prepare people for the change, including advertising and on-screen messages.

Some television equipment will retune automatically, but some older aerials may need to be replaced to continue receiving all channels, according to the television platform.

Viewers may be eligible for free in-home support, including aerial work if needed.

Anyone who needs advice, or who finds they are still missing services after retuning, can visit the Freeview website at www.freeview.co.uk/tvchanges or contact the Freeview advice line free on 0808 100 0288.