I took a look at the index.php file you sent over... I'm not seeing anything in it that would cause the site to pop up in browser (rather than localhost). However, some of the code present in the file, such as this:

<?php
# --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
include(INSTALL_PATH.'templates/footer.php'); ?>

Might indicate that the site uses a CMS of some sort or required installation. There is probably a config file somewhere that you may need to edit to use the correct paths, and if the site does use a CMS, it most likely also uses a database (which you would need to export from the web hosting and get set up on your own machine.)

You may want to look at "system/system.php" and see if that contains the config data, since that is included in the index file.

My impression is that this may be a bit over your head, to be honest. It seems like it is a bit more complicated than a simple PHP site, and that's why you are running into issues trying to set it up to edit it.  What exactly are you trying to do, assuming you can get it set up properly on your computer?

Sorry for the absence - can I re-open this thread please?

For the moment, we are content to make some minor changes, whilst considering the best way forward. One job I wish to do is edit the meta data (as it's really poor).

I have discovered that this (and possibly others) function can be effected by logging into the site as an Administrator, in a web browser. Having done so, I can go onto each web page and click on 'page setup' and see the meta (Title, Keywords and Description). If I hover over each, it says 'click to edit' and it allows me to make changes BUT I cannot see how to save the changes.

Can anyone kindly advise me how to save any changes please?

Thanks for that, I will try to ascertain what (if any) CMS is being used, if I can reach the original designer (not easy!).

If I have no success, I may have to take you up on your kind offer.

cheers

Depends on the CMS that you choose. In general, I would say yes, adding a CMS to a static HTML site can take some work, because it often requires basically remaking the entire site within the CMS and re-adding all the content.

On the other hand, you might look at something like CushyCMS (http://www.cushycms.com/) which basically allows you to define certain editable areas in the site. I'm not sure if it will allow you to edit meta data, but it might be worth a look.

Something like Perch (http://grabaperch.com/) might be worth a look too, though that will require a little more work than CushyCMS.