valve assembly 2 in the exemplary embodiment shown is a two position three way hydraulic valve assembly but it is to be understood that it may take any suitable form a valve body 35 has three ports pressure port p for connection to a supply of pressurised fluid tank port t for connection to a tank or reservoir and service s for connection to a fluid circuit which may contain for example a main stage valve that is opened or closed under the control of two solenoid operated control valves of the present invention the ports p s t are represented in dotted line for ease of reference as in practice they will angularly offset around the central longitudinal axis of the valve assembly 2 the valve body 35 has a central bore of circular cross section that extends along a longitudinal axis and which defines a valve chamber 36 for receipt of a valve element that is divided into three segments 37 38 39 each valve segment is arranged for communication with one of the fluid ports p t s via a shallow annular groove 40 41 42 defined in its outer surface the three segments are separated by a pair of o rings 43 that are located in annular recesses in the exterior surface of the central segment such that it is sealed to the internal bore surface of the valve body 35 the valve element is retained.