> asuming you'll always have these 'string dates' as 'dd/mm/yyyy' you

can use:

>
> cast(
> substring(str_date_field from 1 for 2)||'.'||
> substring(str_date_field from 4 for 2)||'.'||
> substring(str_date_field from 7 for 4)
> as date)
>

As I've already cleaned up the data in this field (it was ported over
from access) I know it will always be in that format. I've just added
this into my stored procedure and it ran perfectly.

Thanks again to all how replied to this thread, if any of you are ever
near Bristol in the U.K I'll buy you a beer !