we were recently travelling up in the Sierra Nevada range and came across many shops selling similar rugs. They were multi-coloured and quite thick and therefore heavy. We were tempted to buy a couple but were put off by the thought of lugging them around as we were travelling about. Does anyone know the name of these rugs, and where we might be able to buy a couple to get sent over to England? Their cost varied depending on size but, as an example, one measuring 2m x 1.5 was about 20 euros.

Could you be refering to Jarapas? They are from Nijar and you can't leave there without buying a few! I have several and love them especially since they are reversable! Here's a photo:
http://www.almerianatural.com/nijar.htm
here's a little history: http://www.dipalme.org/Servicios/Informa...ment&Click=

not sure what places would send them over but you could do a search for some place in Nijar- there are tons of shops there that carry them.

Here's a website that has them (go figure, jarapas.com)!

try www.jarapas.com
or
http://www.via-shop.com/cgi-bin/via-shop/tienda/inicio.pl?cli=100011

This website has the colorful ones (they also have lots of nice Spanish and Moroccan artesania):
http://www.kdo-dko.com/arte/carrito.htm

Many thanks Nevada, very helpful.