Chilli and Shy, thanks for your answers.
Maybe I am being a little too ambitious with the time factor but I thought that it was better to have a tight time schedule rather than allow say a year to complete the course and keep putting things off. I want to learn hopefully in the shortest period of time possible but I wont sacrifice safety or quality in the process of achieving my goal.
I definately won't be paying up front for flying training and take on board all of what you say on that subject.
I'll have a look at the link posted re the medicals, I think there might just be a trip to Crawley coming up!
Wearing broad decision head now!! And looking a little further afield too.
Is there anywhere that do a residentual course for either just the flying or ground school or both combined? I suppose I could look at that option. (excluding the US or abroad)