Former ITV Digital customers were told yesterday they can keep their set-top boxes for free.

Last month, liquidators given the task of trying to recoup the £1.24 billion owed when the digital giant collapsed said former subscribers should either pay £39.99 to keep their boxes or have them collected. It warned further action could be taken against those who did neither.

But in a deal with ITV Digital's former parent companies, Granada and Carlton have agreed pay £2.8 million to cover the cost of the 990,000 outstanding boxes plus subscriptions still owed.

Just 8,000 former ITV Digital customers have bought their boxes and 3,000 have agreed to return them.

Liquidators Grant Thornton said those who had already sent a cheque would get refunds.

One reason Carlton and Granada stepped in is because those still with a box can use it to get Freeview, the free-to-air service which includes the ITV2 digital channel and ITV News channel.

Malcolm Shierson, of Grant Thornton, said: "We are satisfied it represents good value to the creditors of ITV Digital as well as providing a positive outcome for subscribers.

"The sum received closely tallies with the likely returns under the financial model we established and the indicated value of previous offers to purchase the boxes and customer debts when ITV Digital was in administration."