I stripped it where the flexi hose goes in. I'm still cross with myself for doing it.
Thanks for your offer - I've ordered an exchange one now. I decided to get an exchange one as a used one may need servicing anyway. I just want to put it in an be done with it!
How's this for service? GSF list it but when I phoned up they had none in stock and none of their branches had one. I'll call back says the guy. Half an hour later he calls back to say they'll have it by the morning. I'm trying to figure out how to get out to Marsh Barton tomorrow morning when he says, "Do you want to pick it up or shall we drop it out to you?" What? what! Oh yes please!!! So they'll deliver it to work for free! How amazing is that?
Eurocaparts list one at £305 (+VAT), I found one place selling an exchange unit for £80+VAT & shipping - GSF is £73 exchange +VAT delivered. Awesome.
I'm trying to get it done by Friday so I don't have to pay for another MoT....There's nothing more motivating than a deadline rushing towards you.
And Lee944: I checked the thread of the hose in one of the old unions and it's tight enough to need a spanner when they usually go in by hand. So I think I'll get another hose to be sure. Thanks for the tip.

About the brakelines - I bought some Kunifer pipe (copper/nickel) from ebay for £12 for 25' but it didn't turn up in time for the weekend so i bought 3m from Pirtek (they call it Bundy pipe, I think) on saturday morning for a tenner. I bought some male connectors from ebay for about £3 for 10 so it didn't seem worth using the old ones. Take some time getting the die square on the pipe and you'll need a file to chamfer the end of the pipe. Surprisingly satisfying to do!