So just to be sure whats being said. I take the handle off on the inside to expose the barrel and then wallop the top of it with a hammer to snap it. Is that right?
Yeah, hammer will do it, from inside it's fairly easy, if you can use a bolster placed on the furthest point of the barrel and give it decent hit it will snap in two, sounds rough but isn't really...
I think I would wrap a bit of cardboard over the chisel blade to reduce the chance of scratching the door.
Why can't this lock be picked, yes some good quality Euro cylinders are hard to pick, some are very easy and I do mean very easy, I have retained one such lock I removed from doors once as good/bad example, I can open it without fail in less than 60secs, furthermore this was fitted onto a brand new door fitted within the last 12 months !!
Well folks, ive had some brilliant tips from the Screwfix forum in the past, and all are appreciated, but this one really has to take first prize. I'll be honest and say I was initially a little dubious and thought surely it can't be that easy but I had the lock barrel snapped, the door open and new barrel & handles refitted in just over 5 minutes, absolutely brilliant. Thanks for everyones help on this, its one of those tricks that makes you yearn for someone you know to tell you they have the same problem just so you can show off and do it again