THOUSANDS of residents say they are missing out on the full range of digital television channels following the switchover.

Customers served by a relay transmitter based in Exeter’s St Thomas say they feel cheated to find only 18 channels on their televisions, instead of the full range of 48.

But Digital UK, which has been leading the switchover, said it was clear from the start of its campaign exactly which channels people would receive.

The Echo recently revealed how many stores had sold out of digiboxes as demand soared following the digital switchover.

Many people threw away their old television sets and replaced them with new digital versions to cope with the changes.

But now many of those people feel they have been “duped” because they cannot receive all the advertised Freeview channels.

The problem affects homes which are out of range of the Stockland signal and therefore have their digital signal relayed from smaller local transmitters.

One  woman who lives near Exeter Quay said: “I telephoned Digital UK to try and find out if there was any way we would ever receive the missing channels, but I was told no. 

“Apparently, the signal from the St Thomas transmitter will never be strong enough.

“I asked how I could get the full Freeview channels for free but was basically told I can’t. The only way this is possible is if I pay for Sky, BT Vision, etc.

“Surely this defeats the object of Freeview?

“How many people will have paid for a Freeview box instead of the alternative and will now find out that they can’t, and won’t, ever get the full channels?

“I feel I have been misled by Digital UK in the build up to going digital and am really unhappy that many will never get the full service of Freeview in and around the Exeter area.”

The St Thomas relay transmitter serves around 19,000 homes in Exeter. Other relays are based in Pennsylvania and Dunsford.

Dozens of people also posted comments on www.thisisexeter.co.uk complaining about their service.

One said: “Before people rush out and spend money on boxes to obtain what it described as ‘Freeview’ I think they should be aware that all of the ‘free channels’ that are advertised as being available on Freeview are not available in the Exeter area as the aerial that has been built is not big or strong enough... apparently.”

Digital UK spokesman Joe Smithies said: “We certainly did not mislead people. We were absolutely clear about what services would be available from relay transmitters.

“What we don’t do is provide universal coverage of commercial channels. There is not sufficient spectrum for all the transmitters to carry all those channels.”

Mike Cummings, of Aerial Services in Exeter, said most households could get the full range of channels  by changing their aerial to receive a signal from Stockland Hill instead of St Thomas.

He said: “The situation is that any relay station in the country is only going to give a restricted channel list.

“That is permanent. If people want to get the full channel list, they will need to have an aerial facing towards Stockland Hill.”