Hi Mike,
Thanks very much for the info, yes it is correct that I do want a drop down field in the contactus.tpl file. but as stated I would not be able to just make one up as I did not have access the the php files.
Therefore I was trying to use another field already in operation but it is in a different contact template the ($friendname} and I was hoping to be able to use that. Hence why it jumped to {$friendname} sorry about that Guess I still have WAAAAaaaaayyy tons to learn
As for what you suggested mike I would be very interested in knowing how to go about using this method but as you have gathered im far from programming savvy, so I would apreciate any help in how I go about creating a module.
Many thanks
Jason