Many thanks Guys, much appreciated.
I too will stronger beers but i had just thought to try something in the short term first.
As for removing the bung, it was well jammed in, i tapped with a hammer on the sides of the bung and then used a twisting movement to remove it, to be honest, knowing now that its not a big deal, I would not remove it again unless I was ready to test it for leaks & had a beer to go in, the aroma was fantastic & i'm thinking it would be better preserved not opened..just a thought though.