Thanks chaps, that's really encouraging news. My astigmatism in one eye has varied over the last few years between 2.5 and 4 (not entirely sure why). The retinoscopy I had yesterday at the Institute of Optometry gave 2.5, and I only discovered recently about the restricted class 1 with a limit of 3.
If I have no joy with the restricted class 1 (I guess the wide variation won't help my case), then I will definitely re-consider LASIK now that I know the CAA accept correction for astigmatism.
Thanks for your advice AlexEvans - you might have just made my weekend!
waterpau