Equitable Life and an AVC pension

takethemon

hi. i was medically retired in 2002.
at that time i received a pension from my employer. i had also had an avc with equitable life worth £22000 at the time.
as i had no need of any extra income at the time i left the avc intact.
in late 2005 i saw an independent financial advisor, yorkshire investment group,by which time my fund had grown to £29000. i explained that this was an avc and the advisor said it would be better for me to take a 25%lump sum from this amount and invest the rest elsewhere. i pointed out to her that this was not allowed at the time of my retirement but she said that i would find out that the rules had changed and she said her fee would be £1000 plus vat for the advice regarding this avc pension.
as i had no experience of IFA'S or their fees i agreed.
several months later she wrote to me that as it was an avc she could offer me no advice except sort it out myself.
i then received correspondence that Equitable Life sent to my ex employer saying that the avc pension should have been taken at the same time as my company pension and they would calculate the pension at the value of £22000 instead of £29000.
i phoned my ex employer and was told it was an oversight on their behalf that the AVC was not actioned and was advised " to make sure they pay you interest "
for personal reasons i did nothing until late last year,when i wrote to Equitable Life asking what the value of my fund was and what were my options. my latest statement from them in 2012 showed my investment had grown to £44000.
i received a reply from Equitable Life informing me that as it was an AVC i would have to contact my ex employer and sort it out with them.
i wrote to my ex employer,Greater Manchester Police,over 4 months ago,and not to my surprise they have not replied. indeed i have never received a headed notepaper letter from them regarding this matter.
any advice would be gratefully appreciated,especially if someone can clarify whether when i do convert into a pension whether i have to accept it based on its 2002 value and do i have to take the pension with E.L.
many thanks.