So - the MOT guy tried everything to get it to pass the emissions ! But every time the Lambda hit the right numbers the CO went high - like 2% and above.
O2 sensor didn't arrive in time and I monitored the oxygen pre and post cat sensors while he did the test. The front one was limping from 0v to 0.3v and the rear one occasionally dived towards 0v for no apparent reason. I serviced the car, put new fuel in it, gave it a good hiding on the way to the test centre and then drove straight in for the test but alas !!
Anyway, learning a bit about the 1.8K petrol and emissions - will be interesting to see if a new sensor (pre-cat) does the job and whether it cures the odd behaviour at the post cat sensor.