Re test gear. I have an RCD which I always use , a dim bulb tester and a digital and analogue meter.
I will check for shorts on the tuning gang and there are some very old hard grommets I will look at changing.
The next thing I want to learn to do is checking the B and valve voltages I will see what I can find online bearing in mind at all times about being safe
Thanks

Hi all its been awhile but I couldn't say anymore until I could sit with someone with the chassis on a work bench. I'm still very much learning but enjoying the journey.
The problem turned out to be the following.
The variable tuning capacitor dies at the top end as 1 mica caps in the grid circuit of the 6K8 were way out of tolerance. 6K7, 6K8 and 6B8 voltage screen way to high as there was a missing resistor in the voltage divider circuit. An alignment check done now going very well.
Many thanks for all your help learning in small steps
Cheers
Brian

mica caps in the grid circuit of the 6K8 were way out of tolerance

There used to be a time when mica caps were often considered essentially unimpeachable. As the years have passed, no cap is now automatically off my suspect list.

Glad you got it sorted.