function validate_form(theform)	{
	var returnval=true;
	var error_count=0;
	var error_msg="Please ensure that:\n\n";
	//reg ex to validate email address
	re=/^[\w_\.\-]+@[\w\-]+\.[\w\-]+(\.[\w\-]+)?(\.[\w\-]+)?(\.[\w\-]+)?$/;

	if (!theform.fname.value){error_count++; error_msg += error_count +". You enter your First Name\n"; returnval=false;}
	if (!theform.surname.value){error_count++; error_msg += error_count +". You enter your Surname\n"; returnval=false;}
	if (!re.test(theform.email.value)){error_count++; error_msg += error_count +". You enter your valid Email Address\n"; returnval=false;}
	else if (theform.email.value != theform.email2.value){error_count++; error_msg += error_count +". The confirming Email matches the first one you entered\n"; returnval=false;}

	if (returnval == false)	{alert(error_msg);}

return returnval;
}