Right....
Found that extruding each bit in sections does give me an extrude - but it doesnt help with combining all the sections into one lump.
When I try to combine surfaces I get (sometimes) an error like "all surfaces must be adjqacent" - which stops me in my tracks somewhat!
I think perhaps I must get all the surfaces together before attempting an extrude... is this perhaps right?
If this is the case how do I tackle this - ie: getting the results of my shift ctrl drags and shft ctrl s's all into one piece?
Quite an extrodinary length to have to go to to make a solid object !!
Owen