a friend just phoned from m4 srvcs,he got back into the car put the key in all lit up ok but wont start he says there is a message on screen saying steering is locked,anyone got any thoughts please,aa on its way though,its his first landy only had it 2 weeks

It could just be pressure from the steering on the lock. Turn the steering wheel a little so that the pressure is off the lock and try again.

thanks for fast reply pab,he just phoned to say the breakdown bloke thinks the "computer"does he mean ecu got wet as they have been driving through a deluge for the last couple of hours.they are now waiting for a recovery truck
I asked him to go through the startup again and turn the wheel slightly as you said to ease the pressure on the lock and hey presto it started,he start stopped a couple of times and all seems well so he is cancelling the recovery truck.there are no warnings flashing up either.
FOOTNOTE.
the idiot who came out to sort it said he did not think much of landrovers anyway!!!! and all he could do was have a look and then arrange recovery!!! .
when he gets home he is going to make a complaint about the way this was dealt with,and what a total waste of time this so called mechanic was.
cheers
sandy