Series 2 Cracked block

having recently bought a " low Milage " engine I've found that the block is cracked, what are people's experience with getting them welded up, or has anyone local to SE Essex got a decent 3Mb one.
Thanks.

The crack goes from the front to the drain plug

I've had cast iron welded sucessfully (Many years ago in Southend of all places) but that's one sucess in many failures. Its highly skilled and it doesn't always fail straight away so its a gamble. You can get steel stiches put in but that's really only justified for heavy equipment where the cost of replacment is huge. For this I'd spend my time looking for another block.

I’ve been looking but no joy as yet. All seem to be other end of the country.