Well what do you know, just checked 3 packs of bulbs and they're all not suitable for dimmers. No wonder I've been having problems.
Why is this in the small print, bastards !
Thanks again Smurf, I called my electrician about this last week and he didnt tell me that so... so much for his expertise.
On the subject of energy saving light bulbs, the ones i have tried only work sometimes, they are in the hallway in our house at the moment and half the time you turn them on and nothing happens but then the next day they work fine. Anyone else had this problem??