I can't remember if I posted this information as it was a while ago...
I did take the car to the local Honda garage who of course could find nothing wrong but the mechanic advised me always to pull up on the ratchet. This seems to concur with other posts I have seen.
I did not actually have any more problems - up until we sold the car (financial reasons mainly). It wasn't that I didn't like the car, but the handbrake issue days after we bought it spoilt the ownership a bit and I could never get used to the very fidgety and bumpy ride - the Civic's worst point - and the scarily dreadful rear visibility. I do miss the wonderful diesel engine though and I still love the way it looks, inside and out.
So I guess I will be signing off from Civinfo now - thanks for all the fish
