After hunting around for the name I found a good Load Runner info site at
http://entropymine.com/jason/lr/ that has a cosmic screenshot's section. The IBM PC version is much more like what I remember. My 'purple lollipops' must have been the enemy dudes running around rather than the pickups - in any case the look and colour's are spot on... I think we have a winner
Abandonia strikes again.
Cheers to all! Many thanks for all your help with that one. I am amazed that they are still making them today! But pleased... I always did remember it as hugely fun.