The radio/stalk all worked spot on, so it was an internal issued with the CD. Nothing ventured/nothing gained so i pulled it out of the car and got it on the kitchen table.
2 tiny electrical philips screws hold the top cover on, remove them and you gain access to the cd gubbins.
Looking into the top you can just about make out the small glass "eye", i assume this is the lens. At this point i raided Mrs Loftys cleaning cupboard and found a pledge anti static magic duster or summat like that. I worked it into the hole near the "eye" a few times using a small electrical screwdriver and made sure the eye wasnt scratched in any way.
Put the top back on, slung it back into the dash and BINGO - a fully working CD player. 10 minutes, and no cost to little old me.
I love free fixes.
