Hi Dave,
I have tried to call vax, all so tried to have a online chat with them, they really do have the wortst customer service of any domestic appliance company I have had the misfortune in dealing with. An automated answering service that just cuts you of if your not prepared to buy a brand new machine, an online chat service that they simply ignore unless of course your buying a brand new machine ridiculous!.
Anyway thanks for your response I suspected something like this and if anybody ever asks me to recommend a vacume appliance manufacturer it will not be Vax.
Regards.
Martin.