Could someone tell me that on the nearside the break expander is fitted with the rivet at the bottom.

On the offside the expander is fitted with the rivet at the top
Is that correct please

Renewed the rear discs, shoes, expanders and the adjusters today and in doing further research answered my own question. The rivets on the expanders should be at the bottom. Someone fitted them incorrectly!

So I put them on as they should have been in the first place. The handbreak now works.

It's a two person job to get the clips on.

Pleased to hear you got it sorted and thanks for info.