AN interactive TV channel is to be launched by Bolton Council next week as the local authority embraces digital technology.

Access Bolton DigiTV will be one of the first television services created by a local authority in the country when it goes on air from Monday.

It will allow viewers to request street repairs and pay their council tax via their TV sets.

Householders will also be able to get details on public services and contact them direct.

The channel - giving information from the police, council and fire services - will run in a similar way to internet websites.

It will be accessible by pressing the red interactive button on the remote control and following a series of on-screen instructions.

At the main menu, there are then a range of options including: Your Services, What's On and Your Community. A "get in touch" option enables people to contact the council to report problems such as a faulty street light or an abandoned vehicle. They can also use the site to register an interest with council homes agency Homes4You, or to change council tax details.

The system is already being used to access Government information and it builds on the increasing use of television interactive services.

Pressing the interactive button on remote controls to access services and information has been used by TV companies for popular programmes such as Pop Idol and the Olympics and is now seen as familiar to viewers.

Cllr Martyn Cox, Bolton Council's executive member for e-Government, said: "This is the latest Access Bolton initiative and joins the contact centre, one-stop shop and internet kiosks among the many ways that are now available to get in touch with the council.

"And with the relaunch of the council's website also imminent, it's never been easier to access public services and information in Bolton."

The service will be available to Sky and ntl subscribers but, for technical reasons, the scheme will not be available on the popular Freeview platform

Bolton is the first authority in a cluster of councils including all those in Greater Manchester, plus Preston city and Cheshire county councils, which are launching DigiTV over the coming weeks.

The costs for the first year are being met by the Government and the North West Electronic Group.

It is part of a national initiative encouraging the use of digital TV technology to enhance communication between councils and their citizens and to promote social inclusion.