Well - I finally managed it ! Experience is something you have just after you need it, and while the first time is tricky, it's not ALL that difficult when you know what you need to do.
What I did (left and right refer to standing at the front of the car):
Disconnected battery
Removed wipers
Removed scuttle (the fixings are under the window rubber)
Removed complete wiper assembly
Removed scuttle support bracket
Unclipped the electrical connector from the bracket behind the right hand bank of cylinders
This all gave access from the left (I'm left handed) to remove the HT leads and input connector from the DIS pack, which is just below the bracket referred to before.
Getting the 4 TORX bolts out of the DIS pack was a b*gger. I think they are E10 but I found an E11 (deep socket from a Machine Mart set costing about £10) easier to get on. 3 of them were done with a clever combination of straight extensions, but the back right one definitely needs an angle extension. All the bolts are visible from the top (with a torch and if you're handily over 6 foot tall).
The old unit then comes out reasonably easily to the left, and (in the old phrase) installation is the opposite of removal.
The above process did take me around 3 weeks including getting tools and parts, but I reckon that with a bit of practice it should only take a couple of hours.
I spoke to an experienced Omega mechanic, who reckoned that the problem was caused by water dripping down onto the DIS pack from the spongy bit on the scuttle (I think he used a more technical term than that). So, if yours hasn't gone yet, it might be worth trying to protect it.
PS: I'm an idiot, know nothing, and none of the above is any sort of recommendation to people, living or dead.