Glad to have been of help.
I went thru all my non working digiverns and other scale related precision tools this morning, and with 'new' alkalines fitted (LR44's, sell by date of 06/11), not one worked. Gave them a dose of silver oxides (SR44), and every one is now up and running.
I have actually bought 50 off, while they are available. Because they have a very long shelf life, I am not too worried about them not being used straight away.
I also found these a few weeks ago. Very good quality long life Lithiums. They fit not only my Wixie digital angle gauge, but a couple of my digiverns as well. Free postage again. The price quoted is for 10 off. Normally these are a couple of squid each.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JJYZMG/ref=oss_productWell worth having a few packs in stock at this price if you use them anywhere. All mine have 5 year storage dates.
John