Telephone providers across the UK are moving their customers from analogue landlines to digital hubs.

The transition for community alarm users in South Lanarkshire is expected to be completed by August this year – with more than 6,000 systems already transferred.

This only leaves around 400 to be completed in the coming months.

The council’s Analogue to Digital (A2D) programme has been running for a number of years in anticipation of the switchover.

Councillor Margaret Walker, Chair of the council’s Social Work Resources Committee, said: “Community alarms have been a comfort and a reassurance to many people across South Lanarkshire.

“I know that some people may have seen messages recently about the switchover, and I can reassure our service users that if they have not already had their upgrades, it will happen soon.

“It is vital that the technology underpinning those resources is fit for the future and so I am delighted at the progress made thanks to the dedication and expertise of our staff.”

Professor Soumen Sengupta, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care in South Lanarkshire, said: “Engaging with our communities is at the core of what we do, and embracing digital technologies is increasingly vital to the way that care is accessed and provided.

“My thanks to our community alarm users and our wider communities for their ongoing support as we complete this important programme of work.”