ok – I might try to look for another solution whilst I wait to see if anyone else can help. Thanks for your suggestions anyway 🙂
thats what I thought to do initially -> replacing the line
<?php wp_list_pages(‘sort_column=menu_order&title_li=&child_of=’. $parent_id); ?>
with
<?php wswwpx_fold_category_list (‘sort_column=menu_order&title_li=&child_of=’. $parent_id); ?>
I presumed that the args need to be maintained so I kept that section the same? <- edit: should have added it didnt work with those changes. The categories still appear in list form (ie the sub categories dont collapse/expand under their parent category)
edit: the sidebar contents are as follows
http://wordpress.pastebin.ca/256350