Try methylated spirits or nail varnish remover that contains acetone on the skirt. For the dining room table (which I gather is varnished wood) use the meths, but diluted about 50% with an oil like almond or virgin olive.
Cheers - I'll deffo try the meths/olive oil. Yes, it is definitely tip-ex! You couldn't use tip-ex with typewriters - if it wasn't dried properly the stuff went all over the ribbon. I know, I tried it! Tip-ex is for hand written corrections and still much in use.
Sorry NiceCupOf Tea, I'm such a slouch, I haven't got round to doing them yet....bad mother etc. Before I posted the question I had soaked the skirt in washing up liquid then shoved it in the washer and it mainly went - but I will try your methods this week and tell you the results.