Some updates for you, got the sump off today, came off quite easily with no hassles:
The belly of the beast exposed:
Rods ready to come out now:
Old oil pump, all looks very clean inside the engine, no gunk or sludge:
Took the opportunity to spray some of the engine parts that looked pretty grubby, this is the lower timing belt cover and the accessory belt tensioner:
SO next week I'll have the rods and pistons out, hone the bores, fit the new rods and start getting it all back together again - shouldn't take long, the bottom end is quite simple to work on.