I have a tap leaking, we bought a new one to replace it but its been extremely difficult to get the tap out as its been there for a long time and just won't unscrew... anything we could do to loosen it up?

A little wd40 can't hurt... then use a basin wrench or a ratchet set with deep socket to help to loosen the nuts holding the faucet in place (see pic. Of basin wrenches).

Let me know your thoughts... Mark

Suggest that you purchase a set of tub wrenches. They look like the one below, I think there is 5 to the set. Disconnect the supply tube from the stop valve. Slide the tub wrench up over the supply tube to the nut. When you have found the correct size, put two or three of the wrenches together to make them long enough for you to work with. One will fit inside of another. Put a Phillips screw driver through the hole as a handle. This should give you plenty of leverage to unscrew the nut.