Start Firefox in Safe Mode to Troubleshoot the issue and to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem (switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance).

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
• https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes

Thanks for your reply. I posted this question here in the OS section in error. I have opened another question in the Desktop section and will follow up the responses from there. Incidentally I have tried the safe mode and the problems persists. Have just discovered this is only a problem with google.co.uk when I try the same thing on google.com it works normally.

Are you using any proxy server?

Thanks for helping but no I am not using a Proxy Server. Excuse me for asking but even if I was why would this only affect Firefox and not Safari and only affect Google.co.uk and not Google.com

I have no raised this on the Google Search support forum. If I can get a resolution from there I will let you know.