SUCCESS !!!!!!!
I would not have believed it, but after doing a clean install of my sound card drivers, including the installation of the drivers off the original CD and then updating to the latest ones, the game no longer crashes
For those who follow, take a look at Creative Knowledge Base Solution ID # 1712 which details how to do a clean un-install and deletion of all files relating to the sound card.
I followed the instructions to the letter and now I am back playing this great game
Thanks so much to all advice given
Greatly appreciated
cheers