anyone with good shimano spares knowledge (or google skillz)?

This?

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/shimano-xtr-pdm980-body-cover-fixing-bolts-left-y46f98060/

I'd try a local bike shop with a proper workshop. They may have some old knackered SPD pedals you can harvest for spares.

r-m, yeah that (but 1 screw and no "body cover" - and preferably under 12 quid 🙁 )

yeah, think I may have to do that, superficial (imagine that, though - somebody actually killing one of those pedals !)

I've smashed a few Shimano SPDs over the years. My last XTRs lasted a mere 13 years, sadly 😉

Search 4mm* countersunk SS screw torx drive

* it looks like 4mm

I tried it up against a few screws in the garage but the head on them was always too big for the right htread dimension

There are cheaper sets from other pedals available at that link. Around £4-£6.

I’ve smashed a few Shimano SPDs over the years

Annoyingly, the only failure I've had was one dropping off its spindle.  Guess how long ago I threw away the un-needed pedal shell 🙁

If you find the part number on the pedal look for the exploded view and the parts list here

https://si.shimano.com/en/

I've almost certainly got some in the bits box. If you are anywhere near the Tweed Valley you are welcome to pop round

thanks all - found a relatively cheap "set" so gone for that (sadly I'm getting on for as far from the Tweed Valley as I could get and still be on dry land)