thanks man! I've just made a new discovery however, the black wire which goes straight to the volume pot seems to be causing the hum, when i grab the bare end where i snipped it from the pickup it stops humming. So, i'm guessing if i snip it at the volume pot it's still gonna cause the noise. In theory the noise should stop if i re-solder the wires to the pickup as i haven't touched anything else but i want it out!!! hehe

I forgot to mention that there was no hum/crackle at all before i snipped the middle pickup.

I've spotted what seem like 2 ground wires. one screwed below the middle pickup i took out and one on the trem both look fine

thanks again for your time!