Got it makes sense, would you recommend replacing the lintel & also the bricks around it?

Thanks skydiver, would you recommend chiseling out & repointing myself?

Yeah it was definitely a bit of a shocker after feeling those lumps under the tiles - will definitely get replace with LVP I think. Thanks again

Thanks fergablu - just to clarify, am I correct in thinking that if I left the settled bricks & didn’t repoint, the lintel could rust?

Thanks for that appreciate the response - as a newbie without much DIY experience when it come to repointing, would you recommend a DIY job after watching some YouTube videos on how it’s done etc, or would you hire a brick mason?