Managed to rid the pots of snails that were feasting on the plants but this morning while watering I noticed a few little red worm like things sbout 5 or 6mm long in the soil. They disappear fast when the soil is disturbed, sort of mini centipede looking.

Any ideas what they are? Or a way to get rid of them?

Not sure of exact identity but likely a millipede or centipede, there are many species and sizes  

 

It is probably not a plant pest unless you can attribute specific damage. They eat decaying organic matter and maybe smaller arthropods, and are food for larger arthopods and are an integral part of the soil-food-web. You don't need to control them unless they prove to be undesirables. If you use chemical control it could harm other organisms that are also a benefit to soil and plant health. 

 

Consider regarding them as pets:  ????

 

https://animals.mom.me/catch-millipede-pet-1743.html