A PILOT project to allow Ribble Valley residents to access council services from their armchairs goes live this month.

Ribble Valley Council has joined forces with other authorities in East Lancashire to launch DigiTV.

The interactive digital television service offers council information via television sets, connected to Sky or the cable networks, Telewest and NTL.

The council's e-government officer, Marion Leeming, said: "More people have access to digital television at home than the internet. The aim of the pilot scheme is to test television's potential for delivering public sector information and services."

A raft of information on council services, such as benefits, housing, tourism, pest control, and food safety, will be available via DigiTV.