i have a 97 escort calypso auto which i love and want to look after properly but know very little about cars and cant afford mechanic!! large amount of oil leaking into sparkplugs car misfires/ cuts out. what is causing this and how do i repair?

 

rocker cover gasket, take rocker cover off and replace gasket, not tricky, can't really get it wrong and shouldn't take more than half an hour.
basic tools only needed.

 

As above, but to add will take longer than 30 mins, if not done before.
Just get a old margerine tub etc top put bolts in that you remove from the rocker cover, after you have removed/put aside the plug leads, and removed breather pipe on rear corner.
There are at least 2 types of gaskets used around that time on your engine, so a good ploy is to buy both, and take back for refund the one which it isn't after you've done the job.
The reg number is no gaurantee of getting the right bit, the last one I did was a 2000 model, with reg number and vin number and it was still wrong from a ford dealer.
Don't over tighten the bolts when reassembling, there are spacers in each hole, the bolts just need to be nipped up not killing flat the spacers as some do, you'll feel the resistance change and it go tight, then just 1/4 to 1/2 turn more is suffecient.
Look around the plugs where the porcelain comes out of the metal threaded part for streak marks, look like jagged lightening, if signs of this they have been leaking, a orange discolouration is totally ok and normal.
Don't use BOSCH plug.
tabetha