to initially get the dash off you need to start by removing the speaker covers and remove the three screws securing them in, once these are out and disconnected the top part of the dash should just pull away.
I have done this several times on my R reg due to faults with my dash illumination but recently the driver side blower stopped working so i am going to attempt to remove it this weekend also.
let me know how you get on.
Garry, November 2008