thanks jan, 1 thing that came out of this is i am on there shortlist for when the job is offered again so i might still have a chance at a later date. i am not going to let this little bump stop me on my relentless quest for a job elseware though.

i think the job was taken internally, what i mean is i was told the job was offered and taken on friday, yet the job wasnt posted til friday morning so there is no way the person found the job on friday at 10am the minute it was posted, traveled to the agency had a interview with them and then traveled to the employing company, had a interveiw there and was offered the job the same day to start monday, it doesnt work like that for local authorities, they have to check you out first and to be offered the job the same day "shakes head" probably means he has a relation working in the same office.