So it was a loose wire at the fuse box. Hard to get at as its under the scuttle and I had to do a head first into the foot well. But the major point learned was to start bat the lights and work backwards up stream following the loom.
So thanks for your replies.
And now for my new thread
Cheers
B

Hello Brian - sorry that I had not got round to sentding you any 'tips' as intended but glad to hear that you have solved the problem.
Problem solving Auto- electrics can be a bit of a 'pain' - not unlike the Blind man in a coal cellar at midnight trying to find a black cat that isn't there !!!
regards - Chris

Yeh upside down in the foot well trying to track down a loosely with a leg in plaster, not good.
For reference a top tip from a mechanic mate is to start at the down stream end ie earth for lights and work back upstream don't try and follow wiring up and down from column switch
Sorted for the time being
Thanks
B