As above am i able to fit 17" wheels with an et 56 onto a 56 plate octavia they will be having winter tyres fitted. 

Depends on the width 6j or 6.5j should be OK, much wider and I'm not sure if they would catch the shock absorber with that offset.

Yes cheers mate think it will have to be 45 or there abouts so trev in york informed me.

ET45 should be OK up to 7.5j maybe 8j. I believe the standard VRS are 7j ET51, so you should be OK.