peterh337: that's very good insight and advice, thanks. I was watching the METARS for N.I and Eire today as the front moved across there. 7000 -RA FEW010 SCT020 BKN045 was as bad as it got but Saturday's another day. Thanks also for the NOAA link.
sycamore: I was planning Doncaster Sheffield EGCN as my alternate.
Thanks again, Neil