whilst I had the diagnostics plugged in it was showing the fault as wy the SRS light was on. No power to the drivers air bag, as all my controls too the stereo, cruise control have packed in I am assuming that the wires have degraded over time in the plastic donut behind the steering wheel, what is it called so that I can get it replaced

Rotary coupler, YRC100350, You will have to be careful installing it with steering wheel straight, and you will have to have SRS Light turned off at LR Dealer afterwards, usually charge £30.

that's the blighter nice one your a star will sort one out now