PEOPLE in Greater Manchester will play their part in the biggest overnight change in British television history tonight - as they welcome in the digital era.

The 7.2m TV sets in more than three million homes across the north west will lose their BBC2 analogue signal as the great digital switchover begins.

Engineers are making last-minute preparations for the move at the Winter Hill transmitter, near Bolton. It is the biggest change to the region's TV screens since colour pictures replaced black and white.

The remaining analogue channels - BBC1, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five - will be switched off on December 2.

But families must ensure their TVs are capable of receiving a digital signal to continue receiving channels. The move means that homes in some areas, including Glossop, will get Freeview for the first time.

Jo Waters, Digital UK regional manager, said: "Greater Manchester is well prepared for switchover.

"While the process will be straightforward for most people, we know that some viewers may need a bit of extra help so we will be working with all our partner organisations to offer support for those who need it throughout the switchover period." Digital UK is working with charities and 11 advice points have been set up in Greater Manchester to give people advice.

The BBC2 analogue system will go off air during the night, but some people in areas served by the region's 70 relay transmitters may find that the switch over is not completed until mid-afternoon tomorrow.

Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly, from Stockport, will launch the switchover with a spectacular light and sound show at Urbis in Manchester tonight. For further information call 08456 505050 or visit: www.digitaluk.co.uk