It could be the starter motor(a plug that sticks out of the long side of the housing,twist anticlockwise and pull out like a bulb)coppers to buy, or the tube is going, £6.00 max for a new one.Check or replace them first before looking for difficult solutions,if the tube looks a bit black at the ends it is probably naff.The main fitting lasts for years,it is a simple replacement job.
Rich, April 2010