Thanks all for thoughts. Main planting area is deer/rabbit fenced so I'm dependent on bird predators and one of my dogs (the other isn't interested in vole hunting) for predation within the fence: buzzard/s & kestrel/s do patrol my patch routinely.
I will be using plant-guards for anything planted outside the fence &, as you suggest Fleecewife, will push/dig into the ground an inch or so. However, inside the fence, my apple rootstocks are worst effected, but these will be stooled for rootstock propagation so, unfortunately, guards not the answer in that case.
Liking your suggestion Glencairn of an owl box, but I don't have many options: no owly-habitat buildings and nothing other than shrubby trees surrounding. I have one abandoned telecoms pole right next to the road (not sure would be best to use that one though) and one Western Power pole farther in: I may well ask WP if they would be content for me to attach an owl box to that.
All in all, I am going to be dependent on a good weeding regime plus the birds, one dog and anything extra that will deter nibbling. I guess I have nothing to lose by applying smelly/bad-tasting concoctions, but I'd still be interested in hearing whether anyone has seen any noticeable effect from their use and about any particular noxious recipe/product that's worked for them.