...is it active? I.e. does it need the 12V feed? Have found some conflicting posts here that make me uncertain as to wether or not the 12V feed is required.

Cheers.

it is and it does. In answer to my own 2 questions. Did some tests to confirm there was something other than an antenna at the end of the co-ax cable, there is, so I bought an appropriate adapter and aftermarket radio now works great on MW and LW.

Excellent, I was unsure. I knew the 01(Y) facelift cars had active antennas. Now we all know the X reg ones do to.