Most responses went like

no need for scripts, etc - go to tables, project menu, SQL connect, pull
down MS Access, browse to database, link to query or table - refreshes
every
time you open GIS project that has this link saved - if you don't want to
have to browse to the Access database every time you open the APR then
define an custom ODBC for the MDB and SQL link to that...

Thank you to all those who responded, it works like a charm.

cheers
alynne