Wow -- such a consensus, and so quickly!

Of Course! Power washer! I never thought of that, even though I've
used mine for stripping my own garden seat, and (using the special
revolving jet thingy) for getting rid of rust and loose bits of our
fronts gates.

Brill: I'll try that: thanks lads!! Glad I was at least able to think
of asking ukdiy :-)

John