Valve extenders

OK, I finally got it out after over an hour of swearing and a paper clip. I learnt that:

• it's easier to get it out of the nipple side of the rim rather than the rim tape side (if that makes sense),
  
• a paper clip through the larger end of the extender is the only side that you can feasibly pick at,
  
• guiding it whilst looking through the valve hole from above was the easiest tactic.
  
  

Panic over. Am unimpressed that Evans and Cyclesurgery (no closer LBS to my work I'm afraid) either didn't have mechanics available or couldn't take on the job.