Thanks for all the constructive replies... cough cough..
I was considering putting in a velux or something... but I dont think a view of the underside of the roof is eh... pretty..
I managed to not fall all the way through - it was pretty spectacular though in that exactly there there used to be a lamp.. so that went crashing into the wall with a bit of a bang.
I'll get hold of the local paper tomorrow and have a looksie - CJs right, there's bound to be somebody with an aul throwel in the shed somewhere around here...
I should prolly order some more loft-floor-boards as well... just in case.