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Finney, bit of advise, "don't take central heating advise from someone who knows nothing about central heating.

Perfectly legitimate question.

Idea of this thread was to get ideas or suggestions of companies to get quotes from.
The gas board have diagnosed the fault and suggested the remedy,having read the quote they gave me I am still trying to pick myself up off the floor. £719 to flush system and fit filter plus £165 to drain and inhibit system......oh how I laughed......
I will need to get it flushed at some point but not by the Gas Board

No it's not, if the system has an open vent, it obviously has a header tank.
Anyone who knows what they are talking about wouldn't have asked if there is a header tank on a system with an open vent, I think Finney wants advise from people who know what they are talking about.

Sent you a pm Finney.

It is possible that if you haven't had it covered, that some piece of crap may have fallen in been drawn down the cold feed pipe and that is causing the problem. If there is an obstruction, sludge may well build up around it.

It's worth noting that expansion and contraction of the water as it heats and cools continuously draws in oxygen in open systems. This allows corrosion to take place in the system which is what causes sludge in the first place. Also, if there is a weeping joint somewhere in your system where it does no harm like under the floorboards downstairs, you won't know about it. This draws in even more oxygen.

I have a sealed system now 30 years old. On installation I found I was having to introduce water regularly and eventually found a weeping joint. Once I sorted that I have not had to add water at all, except when removing a rad for decorating. The water in the system is almost as clear as what comes from the tap, apart from a slight discolouration from the inhibitor, and there is no sludge.

I would suggest you turn off the water to your header tank and watch if the level falls over a day or two. If it does, you have a leak, and it would be wise to find it and cure it. Sludge means corrosion, and corrosion probably implies a leak.

Not good news, at least you can look for any problem and hopefully it will save trouble in the long run. Good luck.