Hi Neil ,
Contacted garmin via email ( Bad Idea )!! I was informed that I should buy a new sd card and try again ...!!!!!

I then telephoned them and was advised that as this unit had not been updated for 3 years , it had reverted to basic information only ! ...anyway the chap I spoke with then told me he was resetting the account & that I should now try again ......hey presto ! all is now ok and it is updating as I type ....

You were correct in that the email support is poor but telephone service is very good
Thanks to all for the assistance in resolving this