On Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:00:08 +0100, Dave wrote:

I live in Preston, Lancashire, and at about 22.55 last night (Thursday
9th August) our next-door neighbour came knocking on our door and said,
"Look at that satellite up there!!". There was a very bright object
moving very quickly from west to east - anyone know what that
satellite would have been?

Without looking it up probably the ISS as visible period was long enough
for your neigbour to knock on your door and you to get out to see it.

Yep, http://www.heavens-above.com gives the ISS visible from 22:52 to
22:56 from SW to ESE with magnitude -2.5. For a location nearly 100 miles
further north and a little bit more east.

Two passes tonight 21:59 and 23:35 timings will vary a bit with your
location.

--
Cheers
Dave.