The plastic bracket that holds the flushing lever on a 20 year old Twyford cistern has broken. I've been informed that because of the age of the cistern it cannot be mended and the whole suite needs to be replaced.

Tony K, November 2008

I suspect the person who told you that it couldn't be mended was more than happy to quote you for the new suite...maybe I'm wrong.

You can buy new cistern levers quite cheaply at B&Q in the UK and at building and plumbing merchants all over the world. The fancy ones tend to break easily - the simple chrome handles are by far the best value for money.

Here's one for £7.14

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=cistern+lever&selected=products&x=0&y=0

Peccavi, November 2008