From this distance, and if that pic's been taken recently, it looks remarkably like Nandina domestica, probably Firepower.

Or could be Leucotheum? (not v good spelling, sorry) which likes acid soil.

Could be, Sheila, pic's taken from too far away to be sure.

The picture was taken New Years Eve in a friends garden, the top picture was taken from about 2-3 ft away. The plant is approx 18ins high I would guess.

Well its either the one I mentioned, or Leucothoe - I note the leaves look shiny, and am not sure whether that's because the area was wet (ground looks wettish) - if the area was dry, the shiny leaves would indicate Leucothoe rather than Nandina.

I like this Littlelegs,its a lovely colour.I wouldn't mind one of these myself,and this would do nicely...

Leucothoe 'Zeblid', I think. Worthy

is it one of those rainbow leucothoe plants?
its very nice whatever its called ~ all that colour on new years eve and not a drink in sight!!?

This is not the rainbow one, Stickitoffee, though there is a variety called that - could be L. zeblid, as Worthy says, or L. scarletta.

its much brighter than my rainbow one i really like it.

Bamboo, Sheila, Worthy ......... Thank you for your imput , Ive had a look on several sites using your info and I think its Leucothoe Scarletta Zeblid.
Sticki, Bloomer, ...... have a look on google, there several sellers.

thank you ~ is it one i could plant now?

Only trouble is, I think it prefers acid soil. Is that what you have, Sticki?

Thanks Worthy - is it hardy?

yes sheila ~ camellias quite happy so i think it is at least a bit acidic

This one is in a pot, can't you make that any type of soil you can ? Honest I don't know.

Yes, you can Littlelegs, by using ericaceous compost. These plants also hate drought, I've noticed, and given that one's in a pot and outside on New Year's Eve, unless it was put under shelter during the bad weather, I think we can assume its hardy, Sheila.

It does say its hardy on the website Bamboo, its been out through all the freezing,snowy weather according to my friend.