Tap handle retaining screw corroded and broken...is drilling the best way?

[Draez]

The tap handle was loose so i opened it up and found this mess...the end of the retaining screw has snapped at the base leaving about 5mm of the screw within the hole with nothing proud to get the pliers on.

I should add that I am not a plumber, I get one in for any significant work but this doesn't look too bad...any reason why i couldn't drill it out? Any tips? Also the best way to remove the gunk...2 pics, the second shows how the hole should be (ie not filled with broken off screw...)

Cheers for any help

 

[M.Joshi]

Once you have cleaned out the gunk, you may find that it is a standard tap valve module which you can replace. May be tricky removing it though?

Can you take a side on view picture of the tap base and post it on here.