Thanks Super Jamie - by Hitching its a stuttering and reluctance to move more than a bunny hop.
The mechanic did play with the timing but I have faith that he did it well as it was even crappier before he fixed it (due to a dodgey mechanic previously stuffing around and trying to create business for himself). It did have a problem with an air leak in the fuel line above the charcoal canister that was causing the petrol to drain back to the fuel tank, so there is a good possibility a vacumn leak could be elsewhere also.
I am still curious though as wouldn't these problems still be affecting the engine after it has been warmed? Cause it runs fine after it reached running temp...?