your codes need to be cleared or if by fitting new plugs you have fixed the fault then the codes will clear after the car has had 20 'clean starts' ie starts where nothing has upset the ECU enough to log a fault.

Thanks Andy. It looks like the plugs are not the problem as the EML light refuses to go out and the car will not run smoothly. Sounds like it's running on about four cylinders to me.......especially at lower revs. Acceleration is glacial..... :-/ :-/....I should add that I have just started and restarted the car some thirty times and more in order to try and clear the codes....
If the EML is still on, then you still have a fault. 
I'm wondering if it's the coil packs . The old girl has done 102,000 miles and I believe them to be original. Much of the visible metal is corroded and is bulging slighty cracking the plastic casing..... :-/
I don't have a DBW car but I wouldn't think there should be
any metal of the individual coils visible. I would agree with you in that you need to replace them both.

Generic ignition coils don't get good press :-/ :-/
Omega Part Number Retail Price Normal Trade Trade Club
Ignition coils/coil packs
2.0 8v 90443900 £129.00 £116.10 £97.54
2.5/3.0 (early models) 90444184 £129.00 £116.10 £97.54
2.0 16v 90458250 £51.50 £46.35 £38.95
2.5/3.0 (interim models) 90511450 £146.00 £131.40 £110.22
2.5/3.0 (later models) 90541062 £164.00 £148.24 £123.69
2.6/3.2 (cylinders 1, 3, 5) 9118114 £112.00 £100.80 £84.86
2.6/3.2 (cyl. 2, 4, 6) 9118115 £112.00 £100.80 £84.86
2.2 9195819 £121.00 £108.90 £91.16