Merge pull request #188 from wtsi-npg/devel

pull request from wtsi devel to master to create release 77.7
Merge pull request #189 from wtsi-npg/devel

additionally, pull MANIFEST changes to release 77.7
Merge pull request #195 from wtsi-npg/devel

pull request from wtsi devel to master to create release 77.8
Merge pull request #199 from wtsi-npg/devel

pull request from wtsi devel to master - release 77.9
Merge pull request #200 from wtsi-npg/master

pull from master to devel after release 77.9