Freeview viewers in Cumbria, south west Scotland and the south Lakes may need to retune their TV equipment on July 31 to continue watching programmes.

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

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

Engineering work at the Caldbeck and Caldbeck Scotland transmitter groups will begin shortly after midnight and Freeview channels will be off-air overnight until 6am.

After this, any viewers receiving their TV signal from the main Caldbeck transmitters who find they are missing channels can retune.

Work at smaller local relays will take place during the day and services may be subject to disruption until late afternoon. Satellite and cable TV are not affected.

Around 160,000 homes are served by the affected transmitters. Freeview will be running an information campaign to prepare people for the change, including advertising and on-screen messages.

Following the engineering work, the line-up of Freeview channels broadcast from the Caldbeck transmitter will also change.

Additional changes will take place at some smaller local transmitters on September 4 and 11. Freeview will remind viewers to retune when these take place.

Retuning should be straightforward and some TV equipment will retune automatically. Some older aerials may need to be replaced to continue receiving all channels. 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.