All sorted. Modified the Compatability mode in C:\Progam Files\Microsoft Office\Office
Click on Oultook and go to properties - compatability
Select - Windows XP.

Although outlook has a few funny moments:

(1) Sometimes doesn't load
(2) I have to go through the setup wizard every time it does load.
(2) It has stopped responding at least a few times in a day
(3) I have lost a few old emails ? whilst organising them
(4) I receive an error message that the office assistant will not appear - not such a bad point.

But assume that all of these are due to Vista and outlook 2000 not being completely compatable - or so I have read from other posts.

Hope this helps others.