STV's local television channels are to be given a more prominent position on Freeview, it has been announced.

It is expected STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow, currently listed at 23, will move to channel eight in April when BBC Three becomes a fully online service.

When STV launches local channels for Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee, due in 2017, these will also be on channel eight.

Digital UK, which manages the allocation of channel numbers on Freeview, said the move would help make local TV more prominent.

STV director of channels Bobby Hain said: "This is fantastic news, with our City channels in a more prominent position new viewers from across Scotland will now get the opportunity to enjoy more of STV’s trusted local news and magazine programmes along with our great mix of new and classic drama and entertainment.

"We look forward to working with Digital UK to move STV Edinburgh and STV Glasgow up the electronic programme guide (EPG) to Freeview channel eight."

Digital UK chief executive Jonathan Thompson said: "The decision to move BBC Three online has opened up the opportunity to improve the prominence of local TV on Freeview across Scotland.

"We will now work with the BBC and STV to make these changes as smoothly as possible."

Digital UK has indicated some viewers may need to retune their TV or box to receive the latest channel line-up as changes may not be picked up automatically.