i stripped the machine down entirely, after a lot of searching i found a bearing set that will fit it, hopefully they actually arrive and i haven't been scammed.
the space between the drum spider and the inner drum was full of limescale and sludge, i tried hosing it, that didn't work, so i got out the pressure washer and blasted it out.
the bearings eventually came out with a lot of swearing
hopefully the machine will go back together as i took it apart
thanks
Matthew