Got it worked out!

Again a probably another rookie mistake...Solution was to increase the VDD to 4V! minimum. (software does recommend 4.5V) but 4 seemed to work fine.


Thanks Ioanins for the pickit3 plus software recommendation! That's what discovered the problem.
Great little program, works heaps faster then MPLAB X pck3md
Also integrated within MCS using the pickitcommand exe, hence can delete the bloated software MPLAB X!

My 5 spare 12F508 are breathing a sigh of relief!

Big thanks again,

Rob.
P.S Ioanins I'm coming to your lovely country next week for Holis, by any chance will you be in Athens on the 10th July? I owe ya a beer!!!