UKKen was brilliant, he gave me his personal phone number and an invitation to call. Winter came and my car went into its garage and I let him go.

Here is how it goes.

Car began to blow hot air regardles of the position of the heater / air con / temperature controls. Heater fan was running slowly whenever the ignition key was turned. I am not interested in nor capable of maintaining my car so I took it to an auto electrics garage. They diagnosed that the hot water control valve had failed and they replaced it and I got cold and air con air but the fan was always running. Garage told me that was normal. The first time i called for heat it worked but i could notget cold air again. By starting the car with all heater controls set to cold I managed to get the system to blow ambient air which is as it is now. Heater controls do nothing. Subsequently the fan accasionally blows full force when thee ignition key is turned and I cannot switch it off until it decides its time to stop. As I only use the car in the sunshine with the hood down I have not prioritised this repair but now i have the non start problem I figured I should try to get both done - soon !!
Cheers
Mike