C4 Automatic Handbrake

[cgw]

Has anybody experienced the failure of the automatic handbrake. On starting the vehicle and attempting to move off, the handbrake refused to release. On consulting handbook, used tool to insert in cavity below passenger seat and successfully released brake. However the display is now showing many errors, no speedometer etc, and I have no handbrake. This is after going through the procedure in the handbook. I disconnected / reconnected the battery in hope of resetting the electronics (similar to Xsara Picasso) but no improvement. Is there a procedure I can use for resetting the ECU. I will be contacting the Citroen dealer after bank holiday, however this situation does not bode well for the future if this occurs in a remote area, bring back the manual handbrake!