SQUARE-EYES in Otley will be left staring at a blank screen if they try to tune in to digital television a city councillor has warned, writes Vivienne Francis.

Coun Graham Kirkland (Lib Dem, Otley & Wharfedale) wants to make it clear to viewers that stumping up for digital television will not increase their choice of channels as the Wharfedale transmitter, at Emley Moor, is unable to receive the signals.

The councillor is concerned that billboards announcing the arrival of the extra channels do not make it clear that the On Digital is not available everywhere.

Some parts of the town cannot even receive Channel 5.

Coun Kirkland said: "I would like to make it clear that you cannot get On Digital in Otley at the moment and the reason for that is that the Wharfedale transmitter does not receive digital signals. It is not available and nor is it likely to be in the foreseeable future.

"It is a service that people in Otley want. Dealers and retailers should know that they cannot receive it. It needs to be made absolutely clear because expectations are being raised."

Coun Kirkland is also downbeat about the town's future prospects of tuning into the paid-for channels. He said: "I rang the ITC to find out when the Wharfedale transmitter would be able to transmit digital signals and it appears that it might just be available by the time they stop terrestrial television."

A spokesman for On Digital said: "We do not advertise in areas where you cannot get it. We would like to be delivering our service to everyone right the way across the country but unfortunately there are some areas where On Digital cannot be received. We are working very hard with the government and various organisations like the ITC to find ways of bringing our service to these areas as quickly as possible."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.