Hello Paul !
Regarding the mantids, the one in Guy F's photo is, I believe, either Empusa pennata or E. fasciata.
Regarding distribution, the former is listed as SW, while the later is SE.
My info comes from "Insects of Britian and Western Europe" by the great Michael Chinery. This is my "field bible" and should be in the hands of anyone interested in insects !
The photo shows a juvenile, with all its stripey comouflage. When is grows up, it looks almost demonic....and very scary !!!!!
Unfortunately, the juvenile E. fasciata is not in the book !
Best wishes, Colin.