Thanks all. Yes, I know the difference between web design and web development - a common mistake I understand.

I'm more interested in the actual mechanics of it all, so actual development and coding is what interests me.

I'm not expecting this to be easy of course - I know I'll need to knuckle down and do a heck of a lot of reading and experimenting.

My plan is learn this while working in my current job and earning money. I can practise stuff during quiet time at work, which is handy. Perhaps when I'm good enough I'll do some freebies to build up a small portfolio - but that's a long way off!

I need to pop to my local library and see what HTML ref books they have.

Thanks for those links Welshstew, I'll click 'em out!