Update for anyone interested.
The two pressure sensor tubes in the flue area of the boiler behind the fan had both disintegrated - conincidence that they fell apart when I changed the control thermostat setting ? - who knows.
Anyway have replaced these with temporary silicone tubes while waiting on the proper spares from Potterton and everything working OK.
FYI the required spares are 212540 red tube 350mm and 641218 vacuum tube 350mm (and NOT the following which are what most part suppliers say you need - 641270 red tube 140mm and 225536 (was 212496) vacuum tube 170mm).
John Preston
October 2010