The Border TV region will become the first in the UK to make the total move from analogue signals to digital later this year.

And now managers at the Switchover Help Scheme have teamed up with the Retired Members Association (RMA) of the former Transport and General Workers Union in Galashiels as part of an awareness campaign aimed at more than 18.000 eligible households.

Secretary of the RMA in Galashiels Muriel Johnston said: “I have been to a number of digital forums organised by our local MP Michael Moore, so I am aware of digital myself.

“In fact, I was even able to update my 40-year-old son, Paul, on the changes after he returned to England following two years working overseas.

“But I was also really keen to see exactly what help was being made, available for our older members, or those who may be disabled and could struggle to make the switch on their own and in time.”

And she revealed: “I found a presentation given by the Switchover Help Scheme to be extremely useful and I’ll certainly be spreading the word about the scheme to our local members.

“I also visit other regional branches in the Borders area and I will be encouraging anyone who feels they are eligible to apply for the Help Scheme to do so.

“The important thing is that we let people know that help is available now and that the help scheme will be contacting them.”

Shirley Batty, of the Switchover Help Scheme, added: “Enlisting the help of people such as Muriel is fantastic and will really help us get in touch with those who need us most.

“Working with local voluntary groups and membership associations is vitally important and complements our additional TV coverage, press and community advertising campaigns and local events we have planned to promote the scheme.”

The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the government to help older and disabled people make the change to digital.

In the run-up to switchover, every eligible person will be offered practical help to convert one of their TV sets. People are eligible if they are aged 75 years or more, or if they are registered blind or partially sighted. Also eligible are people who get (or could get) attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or disability living allowance.

Most people will be asked to contribute £40 towards the help. The service is free for people who are eligible and also get pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers allowance.

More information is available by calling 0800 408 5901 or through visiting www.helpscheme.co.uk