Paul King wrote:
Personally, I'd look *VERY* carefully at where the
relevant weight distributions were (both upstairs and down). The ceiling is
probably sufficiently loadbearing (providing that this is not the only
loadbearing support),

Thanks for the advice, I'll take it on board.

but in the end - its your call.

I quite agree, but it doesn't hurt to take advice from as many
people as possible, and weigh it all up based on who they are and
under what circumstances they've given the advice. I perhaps
should have said, but assumed it was obvious, that this isn't the
only place I'm asking, but it might help backup the advice I get
from other sources.
--
Selah