AERIAL fitter Ray Simpson was baffled by a string of problems which left customers without some TV channels.

But, after reading Friday’s Oxford Mail, Mr Simpson realised it was engineering work on the Beckley transmitter near Oxford which was causing the trouble.

Now he has added his voice to the growing criticism of Digital UK, the company handling the switch over to digital, that many believe did not do enough to warn viewers.

Up to 409,000 homes could be affected after work began on February 1 to prepare for the switchover to digital TV.

Mr Simpson, of Abingdon Aerials, who has been trading for the past 30 years, said about 30 customers had complained in the past two weeks.

He said aerial companies were not warned about the transmitter work and were left baffled by having so many complaints. He added: “Technically we have been left out of pocket. Every aerial has a guarantee so we have had to go and sort the problem out.

“Usually aerial companies would be told if there was work going on to a transmitter. But in this case we found out through the Oxford Mail. Then we realised why we were having so many calls.”

Customers from across the county have reported problems.

And Mr Simpson is concerned some viewers are forking out hundreds of pounds to companies to fit 30ft high poles with aerials attached when the work is not needed.

He said: “I am worried that customers who are unaware of this will be ripped off and have paid out money for it to be fixed.

“We have spoken to one customer who was charged £200 for a larger pole for her aerial when that is not really needed. It is quite easy to rip people off .”

Joe Barrell, of Oxford Aerials, added: “We’ve got a huge backlog of work and our call volume is up by around 15 or 20 per cent. Everyone should have been told about this.

“After the first few days we realised it was unusual but there was no warning.”

He added: “In a lot of cases we’ve had to leave well alone.

“Until it is all sorted out in April we won’t know if the problem is the aerial or with the transmitter.”

A spokesman for Digital UK apologised for the problems, but promised normal service would be restored by April.

By 2012 all UK households must have digital access, which the Government claims will benefit viewers by offering more free and paid-for channels.

The Oxford switch is in 2011.