Two new masts have been switched on to restore or improve television services for more households affected after the Bilsdale fire.

Arqiva, the company which operates Bilsdale Mast, said the switch on returned some services to more residents and more than 97% of households across the region have now had some TV services restored

Viewers in the two areas, in and around Bainbridge and Kirkbymoorside (which will benefit Pickering), will need to retune their TVs if they have not already done so and will have had the main TV channels restored as a result of the switch on.

Engineering teams are out measuring signal strengths to enable further progress.

This follows the recent switch on of masts in Loftus and Thirsk and a power boost at the upgraded relay mast at Eston Nab.

Arqiva is working closely with regional charities, local authorities and housing associations to reach those people whose services have not been restored.

Adrian Twyning, Director of Operations at Arqiva, said: “We are working round the clock to restore TV services and to help those affected.

"These smaller relay sites are a key part of Project Restore.

"We’re sorry for the disruption this has caused for people, and while we are making progress there is much to do.”

Staff from Arqiva provided advice to local people on how to restore their TV services at Helmsley market at the weeekend.

The team handed out information leaflets with advice on how to retune TVs and were supported by Kevin Hollinrake MP for Thirsk and Malton..

The message, part of the company’s Project Restore campaign, is aimed at family, friends, and neighbours of older and vulnerable people without TV services.

Mr Hollinrake said: “It’s very good to see Arqiva in Helmsley at the weekend.

"It’s been a very difficult time for everyone here. We’ve had someone here who’s got an engineer going out out on this week, which is great, it shows there are real world solutions to these problems, so the reaction has actually been very positive from people who were very concerned when they first came to the stall.”

Information, updates and advice, for example on how to retune your TV, are available at bilsdalemast.co.uk

A dedicated freephone line is available on 0800 121 4828, and the numbers of engineers available to provide support to eligible households is being increased from this week.