For those who are interested.
I use Affinity Photo to process my photography and the programme is capable of focus merging, stacking, stitching panoramas - all with the click of a mouse.
I have learned today that Affinity Photo now has a feature for astrophotography stacking.
So, within one programme, the user can take their photography from RAW development to printing in many genres of photography for the princely sum of a one off payment of £24.24 for the next ten days, £48.49 thereafter.
There are a plethora of tutorials on the Affinity site covering all you will need to know to edit successfully and all for free.
The program is regularly upgraded, again for free.
A bargain not to be missed, methinks, for those of interest.