Thought I'd add an update - although this will lack in pictures as I haven't had the time to pull them off my camera . . . .
The new sub-ceiling frame is in and complete - this now means that the entire ceiling is on the same level
( at about 7' ).
This was done for three reasons:
Firstly - it looks tidier also 7' is high enough and it's less wasted space to heat in winter.
Secondly - the old ceiling in the original section had to be cut in places to expose the old wiring AND got covered in brick dust during the modifications to the brickwork.
Thirdly - It made it ALOT easier to run the wiring for the new lighting set-up and the plumbing for the new sink and outside taps to front and rear.
So that bit is done and waiting on said wiring and plumbing . . . . . .
The wiring is also nearly done - in fact the lighting side was finished last night - I now have three lights down each side and one on a separate switch above where the bench will go.
The plumbing is also progressing . . . the "Hot" run was put in and finished as far as I could go (without a sink) and I'll crack on with the "Cold" run tonight (this is already about 50% done).
I'm hoping to get the front outside tap installed tonight as that accounts for a fair chunk of the remaining cold plumbing.
Hopefully by the weekend ALL the wiring and plumbing will be done ready for some more plasterboarding.
Mega thanks to Ian for general assistance and project management on the wiring side of things.