Clio Battery/Alternator strife

[Jingo]

Hello to the mechanically and motor-minds of the motors sub-forum, this is a strange new place for me but I recognise the faces and hope somebody might be able to shed some light on this issue...

My Girlfriend's 1999 Renault Clio 1.4 has decided to die, yesterday the battery light was on continuously and towards the end of our trip the radio cut out/wipers wouldn't come on/lights were dim etc.

The car will not start this morning with the usual flat battery sound, something which brief research suggests is due to the alternator.

This seems like a reasonable explaination as to why the car often gets a flat battery and requires jump starting if it's not been used very much; I thought the battery might just need replacing but that isn't something mentioned when the light is on continuously.

Bar the basics, I'm not particularly experienced with the mechanics of cars and wouldn't be able to even find the alternator, let alone know where to start with checking if it's working etc.

I'm sure we could arrange for a jump start from a friend/relative to get it to a garage/halfords but I don't wish to be ripped off due to my lack of experience in this field...

All thoughts and comments on this would be greatly appreciated boys & girls

Cheers,