SCOTS should not presume that "free and unfettered" access to all BBC services would continue if there is a "Yes" vote in the referendum, a former member of the corporation's governing body has warned.

Jeremy Peat, who has served as a member of the BBC Trust, claimed if Scotland left the UK a deal would have to be done to ensure this.

He said otherwise digital television services could potentially be "cut off" just over the border "so essentially there could be a removal of access for the great majority to that television".

The Scottish Government's White Paper on independence states that "Scottish viewers and listeners should continue to have access to all their current channels" and also sets out that there should be "no additional cost to viewers and listeners as a consequence of independence".

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop last year insisted viewers north of the border would still be able to watch the same TV programmes they currently enjoy after independence without having to pay a higher licence fee.

But Mr Peat told MSPs on Holyrood's Education and Culture Committee: "I don't think there can be the presumption that access would continue on a free and unfettered basis to all services."

He was questioned by the committee on access to BBC services post-independence, with Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur asking: "What is your assessment as to what is likely to happen in the event of a Yes vote?"

Mr Peat told him: "So far as access to BBC services is concerned post-independence, my understanding is DTT (digital terrestrial television) could be cut off close to the border."

BBC Scotland currently provides programmes that are broadcast across the UK on the BBC network, and the White Paper proposes an independent Scotland would set up a Scottish Broadcasting Service (SBS) which would enter into a formal relationship with the BBC so this would be able to be continued.