Thanks so much for your replies ladies and as always your wonderful support.
Its interesting seeing the different times at which people had left work.
When I was preggers with NIki I was planning on working to about 36 weeks - she had other ideas for me
Dh has said he doesn't care so much when I stop so I am going to ring the office today and chat with the HR ladies and see if I can take my accrued leave first then follow on with the maternity leave (taken at half pay over 26 weeks).

Evie76 - actually that makes perfect sense to me . I guess thats the advantage when you're being paid you still accure time.

Thanks again everyone