Clunking noise at low speeds in first gear

[BigMal]

Am very unhappy with the driving experience when changing down to first gear before coming to a stop or when driving at slow speeds in stop/start traffic. When the clutch is depressed when in first gear the car makes clunking noises. Is this normal? I have never experienced this in any other car in nearly 50 years of driving. I have owned the car for six months and am becoming increasingly depressed with this noise. The gearbox is very easy to use from second through to sixth but is sometimes notch you changing between first and second but nothing too serious. My problems are when I change down from second to first - when the clutch is depressed before coming to a halt I hear these awful clunking noises. Help or advice please. 

Malcolm