Well I thought bugger it and got one from Aldi £24.99 - and I tell you what, I'm impressed so far.
Its nice and smooth, nice slow start, multispeed, 3 different collet sizes, even the adjustable fence thing (novice routerer
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) doesn't look as cheap and nasty as I'd expected. I reckon if I make my mum a couple of picture frames for christmas it will have paid for itself !!
I did follow your advice too and went out and bought a set of Trend CTC bits for £30 from screwfix.
Just need to learn how to use it........my yard is now full of firewood with strange shapes cut into it!