I have finally resolved this problem. After another 8000 miles the noise came back and then after a little bit of enthusiastic off roading (not intented!) the noise got a lot worse. Looking at all the usual suspects didn't show anything but when I gotright under the wheel arch and looked up the middle of the spring/shock with a torch there was obvious swarf and metal filings. Taking the strut out showed the top triangular mounting plate (under the bonnet) had failed and pulled the central shock absorber nut through it. New mounting plateabout(£40) plus the bearing under it (£20) which I didn't actually need and it's good again. Hope this helps anyone with similar noise problems.I suspect this is a design issue as the plate has three small holes in it which I feel are part of the production process but only seem to serve to weaken it. Still nice to solve the problem.