[Image-SIG] weird windows 7 error with ImageFont

[Laura & Edward Cannon]

I am running python 2.6.4 (32 bit) on windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit).
I installed PIL 1.1.7 a few months ago from the official installer. I
sat down today and tried to load a font using the ImageFont.truetype
function. I get the following error.
ImportError: The _imagingft C module is not installed
I have had no other errors, and have used the other modules
extensively with this install. Any ideas as to what the problem might
be?
Thanks
Edward