Thousands of Scots face a pre-Christmas TV blackout because they are unprepared for the arrival of digital TV, it has been revealed.

As 52,000 homes in the Borders face having their analogue signals being switched off next month new figures from Digital UK, the independent body established to lead implementation of switchover, shows that one in three TVs in the region are still not set up to receive digital.

The figures from Digital UK show 32% of TVs in homes in the area covered by Selkirk's transmitter, which has become a test bed for what will be a revolution in television viewing habits for many, are still to be converted ahead of the switch-off. Digital UK says one-third of the UK's 60 million sets are still analogue, but most of Britain still has time to convert.

The uptake problem in the Border TV region - which includes the local authority areas Dumfries and Galloway - has come despite a Scottish campaign by Digital UK to warn of the imminent switchover from Britain's 72-year-old analogue terrestrial television system.

It is believed that the reason for the digital apathy in the Borders may be because currently only 51% are currently able to receive digital Freeview.

After switchover, 98% of households will be able to receive 20 Freeview channels.

Digital UK says that captions reminding viewers to get ready for digital appeared on television screens receiving analogue broadcasts, six months before the switchover which would last for two weeks.

At the start of the switchover, on November 6, BBC Two will cease broadcasting on analogue from the transmitter and the first group of Freeview digital channels will become available. Four weeks later, the remaining analogue channels will be permanently switched off and replaced with additional digital services.

Another major hurdle to overcome has been that most of the region would require either a repositioned or replaced aerial to receive a broadcast.

But decision-makers had hoped that because the reception in much of the Borders is already weak, it would persuade people to make the switch to the pin-sharp images provided by digital transmissions.

David Scott, chief executive of Digital UK, said: "While nearly nine out of 10 homes have switched to digital on their main TV, it's no coincidence that many of the places lagging behind in the conversion of all sets are those where Freeview services are currently patchy. The good news is that switchover will allow us to boost Freeview signals so they reach virtually all households, offering many viewers more choice in how to get digital TV."

Digital UK's data shows that while STV Central is one of the UK's top regions for embracing the digital age, with 77% digital-ready sets two to three years before the official switchover, STV North still has some way to go as one of the areas with the lowest proportion of TVs ready for switchover. Some 34% are not digital-ready with switchover two years away.

Digital UK says that by turning off analogue TV it will be possible to boost the digital (Freeview) signal to reach the one-in-five Scottish homes which cannot receive it now.

More than 65 switchovers are scheduled in the UK to the end of 2012, making free digital TV via an aerial available to virtually all homes. Approximately a quarter of homes are currently outside Freeview coverage.

There are three main ways to go digital - by converting an existing TV with a digital box, opting for a digital service via satellite or cable, or by buying a new TV with a built-in digital tuner. A compatible aerial may also be required.

The minimum cost is around £20 for the Freeview box for each TV. But a small proportion of households may also require to pay £80-£100 for a new aerial.

Without the equipment, viewers will not be able to watch traditional terrestrial channels when the analogue signal is switched off.