It turns out it's only £35 plus labour to get the local Apple shop to fix it while I wait. So I'm taking it in tomorrow so they can get the right bits ordered.
Also, I've found a company that makes
clear polycarbonate shells for the MacBooks, so I've ordered one. They look pretty nice.
EDIT: Should point out the my old iBook has loads of scratches all over it, but it is over 2 years old. It's the fact I've only had it a week is the thing annoys me the most, followed closely by the fact I don't what (or who) did it. Having a metal finish was the thing that nearly put me off buying one.