just an update guys...all sorted..
after having ordered a new board, got fed up waiting for it to arrive and was looking closely at board for the 10th time and noticed the big grey resistor(?) wasn't quite making contact with the board..? so one blob of solder later, full sound..!!! not bad for a £20 "faulty" bulldog from the fleabay..!!!
and tomorrow morning i will be one 4 year olds hero..!!! priceless..
cheers guys, rgds stuart