Hi....i did mine in the summer of 2001 in 7 weeks....however after i had finished the training i had to wait for a month or two before the weather was good enough for the Skills Test. Flying every now and again to maintain skills etc.
I took 46 hours and then the skills test so 48 hours and i reckon with everything in it was about £6000 because of things like examiners fees which rely inflated the cost. I think the skills test cost £419 (2.5 hours hire and £75 an hour examiner fees!!)
So just when you think you're nearly there it all gets more expensive!
Tom