Ioan - your welcome!!
Kissmysquirrel - would it be possible to get the exact details in a PM of the chap you know of, so i can approach the CAA with a similar case in the hope that they may credit some/all of the hours. They should keep some form of continuity and cant have different rules for everyone. Its worth a try I think.
Thanks for your thoughts everyone - seems im not the only one who is confused by this!!