With big thanks to Nominet it is now all sorted. I own the domain I purchased!
HOWEVER, I am now involved in mis-directed emails for a customer of mine who is receiving emails about 'ownership' of a different (customer not involved) domain This applicant is puzzled about not owning her domain. Guess who she bought it from..................I suspect this is a large iceberg and if ANYONE has purchased a domain via 3ix I would suggest a visit to 'Whois' to check who's it actually is??