More than one million older and disabled people across the UK have received help to prepare for the digital switchover, the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme revealed today.

With less than a year to go before the UK is fully digital, it is estimated over 23 million households across the UK are already digitally-ready.

But for those who are eligible and might need some extra support, the Help Scheme offers practical help to switch one TV in the run up to switchover in their region.

Chief Executive of the Switchover Help Scheme Peter White said the millionth installation was the result of consistent commitment and delivery from all partners involved in switchover and dedication from local teams on the ground.

"For most people, switchover is a very straightforward process, but many older and disabled people in communities across the UK do need some additional help with this major technological shift," Mr White said.

"The first trial of the Help Scheme took place in 2007 in Cumbria, when the Help Scheme offered three thousand eligible people help to switch to digital. We've come a long way since that time, for example, we're currently offering help to 1.4 million eligible people in the London region alone," he said.

Five TV regions across the UK are yet to make the final switch to digital, including London, Meridian, Anglia, Tyne Tees and Northern Ireland.

It's estimated over 7.1 million people will have been eligible for help over the life of the Help Scheme. The Help Scheme mails all eligible people in the months leading up to their switchover, and applications are open for one month after the final switchover in each region.

The Switchover Help Scheme so far...

* One million older and disabled people across the UK have received

practical help from the Help Scheme since it started in 2007.

* More than 540 Help Scheme installers have driven over six million

miles to date, working over 125,000 working days to prepare eligible people for the digital switchover.*

* The Help Scheme provides 12 months free aftercare to customers.

We've answered over 550,000 aftercare calls to make sure customers are confident using their new equipment since lines opened in March 2008.

* We've worked with more than 200 charities, volunteer organisations,

local police, fire and library services which have helped us spread the word about the Help Scheme.

* November 2011 marked the 75th anniversary of analogue television.

Only 337 days remain until the last analogue television signal is switched off for good across the United Kingdom.

* Based on an average driving distance of 35 miles a day and one hour installation per Help Scheme customer.