AS the nation gets ready for a television revolution that will see digital take the place of analogue signals, a recent study in Worcester has found we're not as prepared as we should be.

A Virgin Media survey of 1,000 city residents last month revealed startling results that saw 10 per cent not knowing about the switchover, 66 per cent not prepared for it and six per cent sceptical and refusing to budge, staying faithful to analogue.

But there's no need to panic right now, as analogue signals won't be turned off in the county for a good few years yet.

Billed as the biggest change since the establishing of colour TV 40 years ago, the Government announced in September 2005 that a UK-wide digital switch will take place between 2007 and 2012.

The first area to see the change will be the Borders region in northern England, with Whitehaven and Copeland, in Cumbria, switching from October 17.

Here in Worcester, the Central region won't in fact be seeing the switch until 2011, making it one of the last regions to change.

Local adverts about the Central region's switchover will start in 2009, giving two years' notice of the event.

The change requires less effort than you might think, though - there is no need to change your existing television, for a start.

Upgrading of some television equipment may not be necessary, as products carrying the digital tick logo mean that they are already compatible - although all televisions will need to have some form of digital signal.

Andrew Hill, owner of One 4 Aerials in Lower Wick, Worcester, says: "There still seems to be confusion on the matter of the switchover.

"Most of my customers still think that they need a new TV, but as long as the set has a scart socket, they'll be fine."

He added that the information given about the switchover hasn't said when it will take place in any specific area and so there has been a degree of panic.

"We have seen a high demand for aerials, especially since the adverts and posters have gone up about the digital switchover," he said.

Lesser-abled and elderly viewers can rely on the Communications Act 2003, that states digital television must have subtitling, sign language or audio description services built-in. The age group predicted to be most at risk of missing out on the switchover is the over 75s, with 93 per cent knowing of the change, but 43 per cent not knowing what it means, according to a Department for Culture, Media and Sport survey last year.

Worcester residents have been advised to help older friends and relatives by converting their televisions to digital in time for 2011.

John Banner, a retired TV engineer whose nine-inch Bakelite Bush television was featured in the Worcester News in June last year, said that his television would still be able to have Freeview, just with a few adjustments.

He said: "The TV featured is a VHF television, but if I made it UHF, it would be absolutely fine for Freeview.

"There's no reason why you can't use existing equipment, although the Bakelite admittedly wasn't made for it back in 1950.

"There's so much confusion on the switchover, I'm thinking of setting up a Freephone service from someone that's been in the trade for 50 years."

He added that it was important to leave plenty of time to change, so as not to avoid a last minute rush in 2011.

Pat Hill, aged 64, from St Peter's, Worcester, was also featured with her vintage television last year.

She said: "The poor little thing will be obsolete when there's the changeover. I don't want to start messing about with it, though.

"We've got a new high-definition TV now. You've got to move on with the times, haven't you? We are still working out how to use it, though!"

City student Matt Schofield, aged 20, also said that he welcomed the progression in technology: "It's not going to affect me too much. I think it's a great idea - you get more channels and choice for the same amount of money."

ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL TV: THE FACTSThere are five different ways that you can switch from stone-age analogue to bright and gleaming digital: Freeview, Top-up TV, cable, satellite and DSL internet.

FREEVIEW: The cheapest and most popular option is Freeview, where a set-top box can be bought for as little as £24.99 on the High Street, or £19.99 on the internet. Simply plugged in to the television via the scart socket, the Freeview box then makes the TV fully digital and ready for the switchover.

TOP-UP TV: Top-up TV also unlocks the subscription channels on the Freeview network for £8 a month, but still requires the set-top box.

CABLE AND SATELLITE: Digital TV can be viewed through the satellite and cable services offered by Sky, Virgin and Freesat. They offer a vast range of channels.

DSL INTERNET: Some firms will offer digital TV through phone lines.

There will also be no change to the normal colour television licence, which will stay at £135.50 a year.