Missing Outlook express folders

Today upon opening Outlook express 6.0 all of my local folders have disappeared apart from the inbox , outbox and deleted items.

I am using XP SP3
The folder in c:\documents and settings\<user>\application data\identies\{UID}\ is empty

i have some deleted .BaK files and and when i try and restore them to c:\documents and settings\<user>\application data\identies\{UID}\ Microsoft\Outlook Express i am asked if i want to overwrite the existing files.

How can I get the files back? the *.BaK files are the missing folders it appears.
PLease help AAARRHH