PEOPLE can expect weeks more problems receiving TV channels after a fire destroyed a new antenna serving Oxfordshire, the Oxford Mail can reveal.

A fire broke out at the Beckley mast, near Oxford, at 2.30pm on Thursday – leaving 410,000 people without a TV signal, other than Channel Five and analogue broadcasts.

Engineers had been working on upgrading the mast in preparation for the switchover to digital TV next year.

Viewers have already experienced months of difficulty receiving BBC, Channel Four and ITV channels.

Arqiva – the company carrying out the work – had been due to complete the work yesterday and move all the services to a new antenna.

But the firm said the fire had forced them “back to square one”, as services were shifted to a reserve antenna.

The reserve mast, which has a weaker signal, will remain in use while engineers assess the fire damage.

Arqiva spokesman Bruce Randall said: “We are back to square one. It will be at least another two weeks, it could be longer.

“We are back on the reserve antenna which has reduced power. The situation is by no means perfect.

“We can’t estimate when it will be back to full power, but it certainly won’t be within the next two weeks.”

He added: “We do apologise, but this is a very rare and unusual situation and we are working hard to fix the problem.”

O’Gorman’s Electrical retailers, in Kidlington, was inundated with confused viewers ringing them for advice when their television sets stopped working.

Owner Dan O’Gorman said: “People did not know what was going on and assumed it was a problem with their set.”

Barbara Fincham, from Ladygrove, in Didcot, is one of many people who have experienced problems getting channels. She said: “I have not been able to get digital for months.

“I had been wondering what was going on, but then I saw it in the Oxford Mail.

“I would not say I was overly annoyed, but they have not made much effort to let people know what is going on.”

Rachel Griffin, of Greater Leys, has not been able to receive ITV, Channel Four, and many other digital channels.

She said: “My main gripe is that they have not let anyone know.

“The whole thing has been a complete shambles.”

The disruption does not affect satellite or cable channels.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk If you are not receiving any TV signal at all, Arqiva suggests retuning your digital set. If you still experience problems, call 08456 505050