Choisya ternata 'Sundance' is a joy at the moment, like a bright splash of sunlight. It has aromatic leaves, scented white flowers in early summer and is easily kept to size.

It depends how small is small. A very low growing one which won't normally exceed about 18" but which will achieve a nice spread would be one of the Euonymus fortunii series. There are silver or gold variegations. If the area gets no sun at all I think the silver woold be perhaps better as the gold tends to lose its brightness in heavy shade. any of these would be happy on a shady bank. They are fairly slow growing until they really get started but will grow easily though slowly from cuttings so you can increase them in you want to.Have a look at Emerald 'n Gold or Emerald Gaiety.

A taller bush might be the spotted laurel, Aucuba japonica which many people like though it can tend to look a bit scraggy in maturity.

Most of the Pseudopanax fit the bill, especially 'Gold splash'. They would need to be south facing slope rather than a north facing one.

I'd go with the euonymus too.....bone hardy and easily controlled, emerald gaiety would be my choice, brightens the darkest day.

Sarcoccoca Confusa ...evergreen glossy leaves with tiny flowers in winter that have a little scent.Also, berries.It can sometimes have three features in one. Flowers, red berries and ripe blac berries all at the same time.Very manageable a nd slow growing and can be clipped to shape if required. not a showy, blowsy shrub but a very interesting one!!

Might even be room for both, it would be a nice contrast.

Nandina domestica is a favourite as it has white flowers in Spring and red leaves for a long period from the end of summer through winter. It's about knee height and evergreen.
Hope you like some of these suggestions!

Skimmias would be good. Male variety will give flowers, with a female, berries or hermaphrodite will be self-fertile. You do need slightly acid soil though. For something unusual then Ruscus, Butcher's Broom or Mahonia Apollo, winter flowers and low-growing would be my first choice.

Thankyou all VERY much for your suggestions, I will now get out my gardening book and have a look at all of them and hopefully get it right, It has certainly saved a lot of head scratching, and we will certainly choose one of those suggested, ( if not 2 ) Thankyou once again , happy xmas to you all.

I'd definitely recommend one of the Euonymus fortunei varieties such as 'Emerald'n'Gold' - if the area is sloping, then it may be that the soil gets quite dry, and this particular evergreen is very adaptable to different soils and varying moisture levels. For one that stands up taller, choose 'Silver Queen' - all respond well to pruning if you need to restrict spread or reshape.

Jimmy thanks for that - had never seen Apollo. Onto the wish list!

SG, if you like Mahonia then there is a relatively new variety worth looking at, Mahonia nitens 'Cabaret'. Yellow flowers encased in fiery orange and red buds giving a flame-like colourful appearance to the flowers only about 1M high.

Have just had a look at that one - not entirely convinced by those red buds though. Do you like it? I also came across a nice one one called Orange Flame but the only British stockist (I believe) is out of stock.

Saw some in 3 litre containers last year at my local garden centre. Was tempted to buy as it was so different to usual Mahonia and not too big. Unfortunately didn't have enough space in my small garden.

Which, the Cabaret or the orange flame?

Cabaret, but the garden centre only had a few as they were a new introduction.

Oh dear. You'll just have to move Jimmy!