in an effort to try and get a cheap alternative to the branded degreasers sold specifically for bikes I've ordered a 5L industrial (kitchen) degreaser which cost me £11! Anyone succesfully used something similar before or able to recommend somethign else. Only interested in using it to clean the chain, casette etc.

paraffin

Car clutch degreaser? cant remember the proper name. I got a 5L tin of it for 8 quid i think

Diesel or turps.

I'd recommend Citrol, it's produced by Arrow Chemicals.

Citrus based and very effective, also foodsafe so you can use it on your kitchen surfaces too.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/47781/Cleaning/Swarfega-Surface-Cleaners/Swarfega-Heavy-Duty-Degreaser

Screwfix degreaser. £10 for 5 litres, dilutes 50:1 so you get 250 litres for a tenner. You won't get cheaper than that. It's what I use on chains, cassettes etc. Leave to soak and the grease just lifts off.