Thanks for the feedback.
I added the line
CMCON = %00000111 to make port A digital rather than a comparator input, this made no difference. the default state according to the data sheet at POR is digital, so this is why I didn't originally put it in and would also explain why it made no difference. There is not a INTCON1 register for the 18F2525, but ADCON1 is used to make the port digital as originally listed.

Changing to using LATA.x did make it work as expected!! Any theories as to why this worked and the other did not? also using "High PortA.x" did not work.
Terry