Well - here's how it went.
Been babysitting the grandkids over the past week, but in the meantime I ordered the parts (didn't realise my next door neighbours wife worked for Farnells so they cost me a grand total of £3.00 - happy days
).
Got back home toady at @ 10am and the beomaster was up and running perfectly by 11am, I even replaced the mains lead which had been cut by the previous owner.
So all in all I reckon you guys have saved me at least an evenings work diagnostics wise so thanks a million you're real stars

Chris.
The use of metaphors should be avoided like the plague. They're like a red rag to a bull to me.