In reply to beardy mike:
Thanks all,I shall report back if I get anywhere with Petzl.
Regarding the buckle wear, allthough its not enough to worry me personally quite yet, I just compared with my old harness, which had had a good 10 years of similar abuse, and only had slightly more wear which does concern me. The only explanation I can think of (baring some thruchy epic I have erased from my mind) is my main complaint with this harness in that allthough the leg loops are adjustable they seem to be set for people with MASSIVE thighs and therefore I've got them as tight as possible (and there still to baggy for my liking) and never change the position of the webbing. Unlike my old WC harness which fitted perfectly and I was always changing the position of the webbing.
Moral of the story I guess is go to the shop and try things on