Thanks for your help. So, i did pull the release cable some months back, I have only just got around to this, MoT coming up. I stripped the rear LHS last night, looks like ir was waded in a past life, quite the horror story. I have adjusted the shoes but the EPB is on its travel limit. (FYI, I have been working in Canada and the car is here with me but it's going in ISO next week as we try to get home to France in time for Brexit).........now that the shoes are adjusted (they look like they are quite recent, no wear) can I do anything with the EPB. It is still installed on the car but the lid is off and the car is on stands......!