Thanks for that however, it  didnt solve it.

The SHOWLAYERUSAGE was at 0, and when it eventually opened I copied it all out into a new file, but that is takling the same time to open as well.

I tried the RECOVER method,with no luck.

I deleted all non- FABMEP items and purged and audited, but it is still taking an age to open.

Cant think of what else it could be