Hi there I am a complete newbie to gardening and need some advice. I am wanting to get some hardy shrubs that don't grow too high but spread widely as part of my border. The soil is quite dry and clay-like and it's in full sun. Thanks :help:

I'm a little confused over the dry/claylike. This time of year, clay soil is still quite wet.
If it were me, I would add lots of organic matter while you're planting to help improve the soil.

Anyway, to the best bit, the plants :D

Cotoneaster.
Euonymous (loads of variagtions on this)
Hebe (I love hebes, esp the flowering ones)
Bergenia (I have a pink one, and a white one. you can get em in red too)
Vinca. you can get em with plain or variagated leaves, blue flowers.
Grasses
Ferns - not all need shade
Cystus
Ceanothus. Stunning blue flowers
Dianthus - I know it's not a shrub, but it supresses well
Cyclamen - leaves supress well, either spring or autumn flowers dep. on variety.
Sedums & sempivaruims (add some extra drainage in the form of grit if the soil's on the damp side)

Thanks hayley, i will have a look for some of those! As for the soil its dry on top then clay underneath when i dig down a bit!