Thanks for the advice, I was a bit hesitant to start pulling the pipes around and making matters worse....will give it a try as how you've explained it seems pretty straightforward.
Surely if it's one of the push release hose ends, how will a spring clip make a proper seal on the fixed part on the bulk head? My local garage said take the car away and come back when you have the parts, and as there are zero parts available the cars sort of not going to get fixed any time soon.
Another one of my shot in the dark posts looking for the hose that comes from the bulkhead and connects to the auxiliary water pump on the drivers side inner wing. Unfortunately the top end of the hose has a push/pull connector, which makes a Billy Bodge it repair awkward.
A complete set of 2.2 A/C pipes, just been refurbished by Bee Cool at the cost of £300, I'm not giving them away for free, but I need £50 to help to take away the hurt (don't ask ) you can be confident that these have been refurbed properly. They have just done one of my 3.2's and everything is 100%. Second hand set currently on Fleabay @£65....BTW collection only from Reading, Berkshire.