//*****************************
  // validate form then submit //
  //*****************************
  function validateform()
  	{
	var err = 0;
	var errname = "";
	// name
	if(!document.form1.name.value)
		{
		errname = document.form1.name.name
		err = 1;
		}
	// abta_number
	if(!document.form1.abta_number.value)
		{
		errname += ("\n" + document.form1.abta_number.name)
		err = 1;
		}
	// email
	if(!document.form1.email.value)
		{
		errname += ("\n" + document.form1.email.name)
		err = 1;
		}
	

	// if an errorcode is created inform user //
	if(err==1)
		{
		alert("the following need completing: \n" + errname);
		}
		else
		{
		document.form1.submit()
		}
	}