"As for higher end modelling programms: There is no way that I, as an ameture,  will pay 850 gbp for such as 3D max. My models are by and large made in the less expensive ULEAD COOL 3D PS, it has limitations but that's what I will stick with."

you don't need max.
you can use any modeler you want... Lightwave, Wings, Sketchup, trueSpace, Blender. Max is just the buzzword for the industry standard in a lot of areas.. but you don't have to have it.