Hello Jo.
Burke that I am, I hadn't really looked at Panasonic's manual, and lo, tucked away on page 93, was this:
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...uk/cabletv.jpg
Which works just fine. As it happens, the diagram is for a Qlink TV, which mine isn't, and shows a satellite box, but it works just the same with a cable STB, and the whole caboosh still works as a STB - VCR - DVD - TV link-up.
I DID have two scart inputs on the TV, but it works fine with only one. I have used the second one, but it doesn't help much.
The input-switching is done on the Panasonic itself, which has an input select switch on the remote control (not sure if this is standard these days).
So, having become the expert, (ho ho) if anyone else with a similar set-up wants dead basic advice, get in touch.
Thanks again, Jo.
Allen.