Hi again well with a bit of lateral thinking I have solved the issue.
Here for others if they need it
1. go to templates/gk_twn2/css/k2.css
find line 200 and replace with text below
/* ---Featured flags: the classes are repeated further below to indicate placement in the CSS structure ---*/
.itemIsFeatured,.catItemIsFeatured,.userItemIsFeatured {
background: url('../images/system/featuredItem_withShadow.png') no-repeat right top;
}
then go to k2 component, then in your article settings make sure in "Item view options in category listings" and "Item view options" that this is set to hide 'Featured' notice (next to title) "Hide"
Cheers
Ian