Thank you all so very much.

I am in the north east of England (West of Newcastle Upon Tyne).

The garden is long and narrow (5m wide by 17m long appros.). The soil is a dark heavy clay that seems fertile as most of the gardens around do quite well with veg and flowers and we're in an arable farming area.

i will take all your advice on board and get searching on the web for pics of those mentioned to see if I like them.
Many Thanks again.
Jamista