ok I've done a bit more homework. Processing has the same problems with the serial library see here: http://dev.processing.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=315 I'm not entirely sure how to proceed from here if any of you have suggestions I'd be happy to give it a try.
gck thanks for your suggestions I've checked serial device selected and made sure there where no other apps using the port. Sketches compile fine..
Thanks.