Firstly, it all works as expected ...as per the circuit diagram! (btw: I'm more of a FET, Opamp, Valve type fella vs transistors!).

Ok, so why use a PNP......because I want the LEDS to source their current from the 9V rail *not* the PIC IO pins...therefore I need to switch the voltage into the LEDs...is there any other way of acheiving the same result that's more elegant?

Re the digital trannies....I found them yesterday & have some sitting in a cart with my RS Account ...

http://docs-europe.electrocomponents...6b804694cd.pdf


(it can handle 100mA, & I'm working on about 5 LEDS @ 18ma, so that should be ok)