All

Thank you for replies and advice regarding my laptop problems. Late yesterday I did a System Restore and fingers crossed this appears to have done the trick. I don't know what actually caused the problem in the first place and so it could happen again. I take the point that what I have is not state of the art and perhaps I need to look at upgrading.

Again thank you.

It sounds like you might be sorted.
Did you try clearing cookies in all browsers?
When you experience a sudden change in machine behaviour it's a simple but easily-overlooked and sometimes effective answer.

you can test it in a non distructive way and make a new browser profile

CWH

Yes, clearing the cashe was one of the first things I did. I'm thinking that the problem may have stemmed from Windows 10 not being updated any longer.