How do I get an iPhone 5SE into recovery mode - I have no idea what th iOS version is as it will not get past the Apple logo.

If you can reset it - by holding down the power and home button, do that.

Release the home button for a milisecond and re-press and hold. 

If the phone is powered down hold down the home button whilst you plug it into the USB port on your computer.

iTunes will now recognise the phone and allow you to restore it.

If needs be, run iTunes as a computer administrator if using a PC and it shoudl restore the phone unless it is really broken.

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Thank-you, that has gotten me back into the phone.

It wouldn't upgrade and so I had to reset it.