Yosemite/Filemaker/Word 2016 - sudden new error

tell application "Microsoft Word"
	activate
	open thetemplate
	save as active document file name doccc
end tell

This script is actually from a filemaker solution used to merge data in a template document.
I run the solution on 2 machines. It worked fine for several months.
I even upgraded from Word 2011 to 2016 with no issues; it continued to run smoothly on both machines.
I installed el capitan on my home macine and the script still works on the machine.
However on my yosemite machine at work I have suddenly started getting the error “Expected end of line, etc. but found class name.” and the word document becomes highlighted when I click OK on the error dialogue.
I am an amateur so go easy: any and all help greatly appreciated.