Coolpix 8800 battery

In 2006 I bought a Nikon Coolpix 8800 and am still very pleased with it. BUT the battery now only lasts a very short while and has probably had it. Snag is, I can't buy one (that works) anywhere. Nikon have discontinued them and the only "pattern" one I could find was dead on arrival. Is my camera just so much scrap after only a few hundred pictures? Is this the norm for Nikon? If it is I shan't buy another...

I have to say that 6 years isnt that bad for a battery try here
http://www.batterychargerweb.com/goods.php?id=6164
http://great-batteries.com/p_16737_1...l?currency=GBP

Thanks wave, this is actually the second battery it's had. Thing is, I bought the last one 3 years ago when there were plenty about. Never thought they'd be so hard to find quite this quick.