function DCH_validateForm()
{
// defaults for the script
   var errors = '';
   var dateerror = '';
   var oMyForm = document.appform;
// regular expression patterns
   var validemail    = /^([a-zA-Z0-9_\.\-])+\@(([a-zA-Z0-9\-])+\.)+([a-zA-Z0-9]{2,4})+$/;
   var validname     = /^([a-zA-Z\-'])+ *([a-zA-Z\- '])*$/;
   var validdate     = /^\d{1,2}\D+\d{1,2}\D+\d{2,4}$/;
   var validphone    = /^[\d ]{10,}$/;
   var validpc1      = /^[a-zA-Z0-9 ]{2,}$/;
   var validpc2      = /^[a-zA-Z0-9 ]{3,}$/;
   var validcurrency   = /^[0-9]{4,}$/;
   var valid3digit    = /^[0-9]{3}$/;
   var valid4digit    = /^[0-9]{4}$/;
   var validnumber    = /^[0-9]{1,}$/;
// test for basic mandatory form field values
   if(oMyForm.c1_ttl.value =='')
   {errors+='Select your title from the list.\n';}
   if(!validname.test(oMyForm.c1_fn.value))
   {errors+='Provide your first name.\n';}
   if(!validname.test(oMyForm.c1_sn.value))
   {errors+='Provide your last name.\n';}
   if(!validemail.test(oMyForm.c1_em.value))
   {errors+='Provide a valid email address.\n';}
// DATE OF BIRTH CHECK
   if(oMyForm.c1_day.value != '' && oMyForm.c1_mnth.value != '' && oMyForm.c1_yr.value != '')
   {
      if(!valid4digit.test(oMyForm.c1_yr.value))
      { dateerror++; }
      if((oMyForm.c1_day.value == 31) && (oMyForm.c1_mnth.value == 4 || oMyForm.c1_mnth.value == 6 || oMyForm.c1_mnth.value == 9 || oMyForm.c1_mnth.value == 11))
      { dateerror++; }
      if((oMyForm.c1_day.value > 29) && (oMyForm.c1_mnth.value == 2)) 
      { dateerror++; }
   }
   else 
   { dateerror++; }
   if(dateerror) 
   { errors+='Invalid date for date of birth.\n'; }
// END OF DATE OF BIRTH CHECK

   if((!validphone.test(oMyForm.c1_th.value)) && (!validphone.test(oMyForm.c1_tm.value)))
   {errors+='Provide at least one contact telephone number.\n';}
   if(oMyForm.calltime.value =='')
   {errors+='Tell us the best time to call you.\n';}
   if((oMyForm.c1_ad1.value =='') && (oMyForm.c1_ad2.value =='') && (oMyForm.c1_cty.value ==''))
   {errors+='Provide your postal address.\n';}
   if(!validpc1.test(oMyForm.c1_pc1.value) || !validpc2.test(oMyForm.c1_pc2.value))
   {errors+='Please provide a valid post code.\n';}
   if(oMyForm.livingstatus.value =='')
   {errors+='Select your living status from the list.\n';}
   if(oMyForm.ff_et1.value =='')
   {errors+='Select your employment status from the list.\n';}
   if(!validcurrency.test(oMyForm.ff_igr1.value))
   {errors+='Gross Annual Income field is invalid.\n';}
   
// credit history checks			
   if(oMyForm.ff_cr1.value =='')
   { errors+='Select your credit rating from the list.\n'; }
   
// loan requirement checks
   if((!validcurrency.test(oMyForm.ff_mr.value) ) || (oMyForm.ff_mr.value) < 5000 )
   {errors+='State required loan amount (at least £5000).\n';}
   if(isNaN(oMyForm.ff_mty.value) || (oMyForm.ff_mty.value <3))
   {errors+='Please state required repayment period in months.\n';}

   if(oMyForm.loantype.value =='')
   {errors+='Select the required loan or mortgage type from the list.\n';}

// check to see if agreement has been checked
   if(oMyForm.dataprotection.checked == false)
   {errors+='Please tick the box to accept our data protection information.\n';}

// show errors or submit form
   if (errors){alert('We cannot accept your application until the following fields are completed\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------\n'+errors);}
   else{oMyForm.submit();}
}

function checkPurpose()
{
   var errors = '';
   var oMyForm = document.appform;
									
   switch(oMyForm.loantype.value)
   {
      case 'Mortgage':
         oMyForm.submit();
         break;
		 
      case 'Debt Management':
         oMyForm.submit();
         break;
		 
      default:
         if(oMyForm.livingstatus.value == '')
         {errors+='Select your "Living Status" from the list before selecting loan type.\n';}
	     else
		 {
            if(oMyForm.loantype.value == 'Home Improvements' && oMyForm.livingstatus.value != 'Home Owner')
            {errors+='Only home owners can have home improvement loans.\n';}			 

            if(oMyForm.livingstatus.value =='Home Owner')
            {oMyForm.submit();}
		 }
         break;
   }
// show errors or continue
   if (errors)
   {
      alert('INVALID LOAN TYPE\n-----------------------------\n'+errors+'\nPlease check your entry under "Living Status" is appropriate to the type of loan or mortgage you require.');
      oMyForm.loantype.selectedIndex = 0;
      oMyForm.livingstatus.focus();
   }
}