On Wed, Apr 03, 2024 at 11:30:53AM -0000, David Carlisle
d.p.carlisle@xxxxxxxxx scripsit:
> The code I posted  ran without error and handled removing the space it
> my have got mangled by an email program I'll send it direct as an
> attachment

Your code works fine.

The less-simplified case I'm dealing with for real doesn't, and it's
looking like resorting to sed or similar will be much simpler and more
robust.

-- Graydon