Hi just to clarify my mistake for those that can't read,
You do not have to use an agent and you do not have to use a MARA agent either. Mick never claimed to be registered with MARA, nor is it on his website, I just assumed he was as he knew the process inside out and that is why I would have liked to take that error out of the thread. Like I said I go on recommendation and that's what counts in my book. I also heard of people being charged thousands of pounds and getting a really bad service from registered agents and then having to complain and getting no where - so I would always go on personal recommendation IMO.
Hope this stops all the negativity around one typo in a thread to help a fellow applicant.