Thanks guys
All pretty helpful, and I never knew abt the reference page to look them up.
The program I've written is 8k (the hex file is) and the reason I havent even considered the 18 series is i was as few pins as possible and dont need any complicated maths functions or add ons. It's going to be a simple switching circuit depending on what inputs are high will then determine what outputs go high and whats displayed oin the LCD display, it's that simple
I actually never considered an internal reference it would cut component count down using internal too thanks
The only problem stopping me using the 16F628A as suggested is the program size, i could add eeprom i guess but it's simpler to use a different pic than use more components.
My idea is to make the project as small and compact as possible but still using discreet components and NOT smd's.

Looks like it may have to be the 16F877A
Thanks Everyone
and Hi Dave, de Karen M3ZZZ