Many thanks to both you and Andrew. I should really sit down and write out all the different ways of reffering to variables and learn them properly. I had tried to use something similar to <dtml-let ci=count-id> <dtml-call "REQUEST.set('v_allItems', v_allItems + ci )"> </dtml-let> and I thought it hadn't worked. However, just tried again and it does so I am obviously loosing the plot. Many thanks for your help Ian Cottee Nagoya, Japan