After years of this device (cheap on ebay) sat on the side it works! Thanks to
http://geekswastingtime.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/install-epson-3490-photo-in-ubuntu-1204.html
Download and extract the following file to your home directory…
go to a command prompt
sudo apt-get install sane libsane-extras simple-scan
sudo cp ~/Esfw52.bin /etc/sane.d
sudo nano /etc/sane.d/snapscan.conf
At the top, add the line
firmware /etc/sane.d/Esfw52.bin
Uncomment the following line
/dev/usb/scanner0 bus=usb