thank u for your advice steve. I will certainly have a go at what you have said. I will need to practise a lot more to use the manual settings all the time as i have only ever used P setting.

I have got a tripod, and use that when i have the time too.
The problem i have is when taking general shots at family get togethers and stuff when people don't want to sit still for me taking photos all the time!
i think for those i'll use my trusty lumix DMC LS2 as its much better in lower light.