Oh and any chance I can leave the skirting boards on? Most of the
ground floor had the plaster replaced during damp proof work and I
just got the skirting boards back on 8/ Will the edge sander not go
right up to the edges?

It will go right up to the edge. The paper overhangs the machine by about
5mm. You can actually tuck it under the skirting.

However, you will still get a slightly better appearance by taking the
skirting off, as you get rid of any edge effects. The difference won't be
huge, though.

Christian.