OK poles - the verdict:

I bought some cheap ones and set out on my usual morning dog stroll (who am I kidding, it's an extremely steep 4 mile march). Have been finding it tough going in the snow as it's drifted and is over a foot deep in a lot of places. Definitely easier and more sure footed, even on the steep downhill at the end, with the poles. So providing that there is a foot of snow in the Lakes in June I shall be taking the poles with me!