iOS8 update failed on my iPad2, now stuck in recovery mode

Hi there

I am in a bit of a pickle! This is what happened:

1. Plugged my iPad2 into iTunes, downloaded iOS8 and it began to install;

2. iTunes downloaded the software and began to update iPad;

3. Device showed Apple Logo and progress bar BUT then update failed. iTunes informed me it failed, clicked OK. iPad stuck and did not recover;

4. Did a hard reset;

5. iPad showed Red iTunes logo and said to connect to iTunes;

6. Connected to iTunes which stated: iPad Recovery Mode, If you are experiencing problems with your iPad, you can restore to original settings by clicking Restore iPad

7. Clicked restore iPad - warnings about losing data etc...

8. iTune redownloaded iOS8,

9. After downloading iTunes went back to the iPad Recovery Mode screen,

10. iTunes redownloaded iOS8

11. goes into an infinite loop back to point 6 and round and round we go.....

If I leave the iPad it exits recovery mode and tries to restart - but black screen after apple logo.......

Going back into recovery mode - it does the same again.... no joy...

I'm really stuck - thankfully have a backup, but does anyone have any suggestions?????????

Thankyou!

PS - iTunes, and OS Mavericks is fully up to date...