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Following poor handbrake performance and failure of service to cure I searched the forums for answers. One caught my eye suggesting 'using' the handbrake. So I have driven down the road with part application of handbrake and also stopped the car on the handbrake thus 'using' it and clearly improving the friction between pads and drum.
Result no more rush hour problems with the handbrake holding on all inclines.
Suggest trying above prior to strip downs,service adjustments or new parts.
Clearly it may not last but the 'solution' can be repeated!!

Excellent result.
I will give it a go myself. It would be nice to be able to rely on the handbrake - hill starts can be partcularly tricky otherwise.

Glyn
Just make sure you don't overdo it as AMD told me that they had experience of this removing the shoes from the backplates once!!
Still the worse that can happen is you have a non functional handbrake, which is where I started from!!!!!

Don't worry I will take it steady. I think my biggest problem is lack of use. I tend to leave the handbrake off when the car is on the garage overnight. I also have a suspicion that some of the internal springs etc. may need replacing, as sometimes it seems it doesn't always release clenly. Stripping down the handbrake mech is on my to do list...

Thanks for the great tips. Will try mine tommorow.