Had a look earlier, it appears that the cables are stuck and stretched , Ive took off the spring and took the bolt out and got the mechanism moving, so I'm sure its not seized. Getting a pair of handbrake cables and going to fit them, just hope the old cables come out as i think they may be rather stuck fast!
Now I've just got to sort out two lil' bits of welding and the number plate lights and its retest time!
Only thing is my number plate light screws are rusted tight, I've started to turn one and I've heard rusty metal cracking and flaking! Looks like I'm gonna need a panel welded in there, and i bet its water that's stoped the lights from working!