CABLE giant Telewest has revealed that a number of "glitches" has forced it to review its target for digital TV services.

But the company, which yesterday revealed it had slumped further into the red in the six months to June this year, said its business strategy was still on target.

Telewest announced in April it planned to create 50 new jobs in the North-East to cope with the growing popularity of digital television.

Telewest, which serves much of the North of the region, is making room for the recruits in its customer services operation on the Team Valley, and confirmed the figures would have no effect on its recruitment.

Telewest had originally planned to sign up 500,000 customers by the end of the year but said this target had been put back by up to three months.

It blamed a series of problems, including the shortage of set-top boxes, for the delay.

Chief executive Adam Singer said: "We have been connecting digital TV subscribers as fast as we can get the boxes. Demand has been strong. As a result we have 223,000 sales to date."

Losses before tax in the six months to June 30 rose to £295.6m compared with losses of £263.8m in the same period last year. Group turnover was £551.7m against £478.3m.

The results were expected for the period as the company continued to move its customer base over to digital products.

During the period Telewest also launched its blueyonder Internet service for home computers and had experienced "extremely positive" consumer interest so far.

However, the company said the product had seen some teething problems and had not been actively marketed.

The total number of staff employed by Telewest on the Team Valley is now approaching 550 and the company will launch a range of products later this year including access to the Internet and email via the TV.