Any chance of a photo Lincspair?

at a guess they are growing outside and it sound as if its been too cold and wet for them , they are mediterranean plants and object to our british weather, I grow bell peppers but wouldn't be able to outdoors

Welcome to GoY.
Your problem sounds like its too cold and too wet. Cover soil around plants with plastic sheet to keep out rain and this will also allow the soil to warm as the plastic will act like a greenhouse (slightly).