Andrew Mawson wrote:
snip
ended up
cutting off the top of the tap with an angle grinder - amazingly without
damaging the enamel ! Spent hours trying to removed them before I thought
the unthinkable, then it took perhaps 5 minutes !


Thinking the unthinkable indeed! This is similar to Oldscrawn's suggestion.

It may take me a few days to work up the courage to do this.

Meanwhile, thanks to all for their suggestions

Another Dave

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