Tried as you recommended Rob. Went into Control Panel, I could see that there was indeed the Java Icon. I remember though that I received a warning a week or so ago that the installed version was out of date.
So, I installed the new version so that it would be current. Having done this, I have again tried to access my Bank account - with no success.
This time no error message pops up and no small icon appears at the bottom left hand corner of the browser.
Now Im totally baffled!!?? Perhaps the banks system is substandard and cannot function with the new versions of Java.

It used to work on my old Windows 98 system with the "built in" Java!!!
Anybody have any other ideas??
James