Scirocco Ticking

[stinger]

i've got a scirocco mk2 1.6 ew car engine. When i start it,it seems to have a constant ticking, sounds like tick,tick,tick,tick,tick.........
Even when driving it, its still there. Also it tends to idle roughly and if i leave it idling for a few mins it will tend to die, (slowly the idle gets lower and lower) most times unless i rev it.
I was thinking maybe spark plugs, dizzy cap?
Also sometimes when i start it i have to give it some gas. Thought this could just be the carb needing adjusting.