Does anyone feel able to recommend the most user friendly software package to use?

This will do the job. http://www.xilisoft.com/dvd-ripper-platinum.html

It has a free trial but it cost $45 after that, unless you "cough" obtain it from somewhere.

I use it to rip DVDs to avi files and out of all the applications I have tried this one rips quickly and at good quality.

Thanks for the comment.