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Thanks heathfield. I've got a Domestic Appliance Engineer coming tomorrow to look at it (we've had trouble with it ever since we moved into the house 18 months ago).
It's built-in into the kitchen units, and I expect the model number will be at the back. The engineer will probably have to take it out of its casing, so I will get the number when he does.
I hope he will be able to explain the flashing, and also put the other faults right, otherwise I'll try that telephone number. Thanks again.