Hey DT.
Thanks again - that was very informative!
I changed my code to this:

Include "modedefs.bas" ' Include shift modes

CMCON0 = 7
ANSEL = 0
DPIN var PORTA.0 ' Shift data pin 1
CPIN var PORTA.1 ' Shift clock pin 1
LPIN var PORTA.2 ' Latch pin 1


bvar var BYTE

bvar = 255
' Shift out 8 bits of data onto other pins
Shiftout DPIN, CPIN, MSBFIRST,[bvar, bvar, bvar, bvar]
Low DPIN

Main:
pause 5980
High CPIN
pause 10
'Shiftout D1PIN, C1PIN, MSBFIRST,[0]
LOW CPIN
Pulsout LPIN,10
goto Main
end

Compiles OK so lets hope :-)