Hand brake problem

Hi all
As I applied the handbrake (for a hillstart) last time I drove there was a loud click/snapping sound. The handbrake still holds but extremely high up  
I'm away from home till Saturday but the thought of my car needing care is niggling in the back of my mind  
Any ideas on what could have gone wrong? Input/help v much appreciated.
Thanks,
Stuart

Most likely to be one of the handbrake cables snapped, I had the same problem a couple of months back when I let my brother drive my golf, should be about £10 per side plus fitting, its not a hard job. when I fitted mine I found both of my rear brake cylinders had been leaking so I sorted them at the same time. It now stops a lot better .

Ahh cool. Recently did my rear brake cylinders n shoes so hopefully they should be alright still  
So one of these might do the job?
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.8_1990/p/car-parts/brakes/brake-friction/handbrake-cable/?108440218&1&f78f913ecbc03989738e9258259fa48e2df2b3b4&000168
Might replace both of them for peace of mind Any recommended brands or anything else I should know?
Cheers for the help

best to do both cables as they stretch over time. That should do the trick. Pagid are a decent make. you'll need to remove the drums to put the cable in so you can check your brakes at the same time.

Most lightly a cable. Jack up rear of the car and see which wheel spins with parking  brake applied

Most lightly a cable. Jack up rear of the car and see which wheel spins with parking  brake applied

dentdoc said

Most lightly a cable. Jack up rear of the car and see which wheel spins with parking  brake applied

or pull off the plastic cover on your handbrake and see if one side on the adjuster is hanging loose with the handbrake pulled.

and while your under the plastic cover look at the nuts that hold them in the bracket, it could be as simple as one of those has jumped off.

Cheers for the help guys. Should be able to look by Sunday morning

Prob snapped cable but sometimes the adjusting nuts at the handbrake end don't have the locking nuts fitted and the single remaining nut can work loose. If cable, as said good excuse to clean up rear brakes and re-grease/re-adjust rear wheel bearings.

My offside handbrake cable had just jumped off the braket- sorted.
Took my car for an MOT and I have 'excessively corroded ferrules' on both my rear brake hoses.
I've ordered some Goodridge hoses
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Goodridge-S-S-Brake-hoses-Mk1-Golf-Sci-Rear-drum_act_shop.product_pID_16412177_lang_EN_country_GB.htm?crumbStartPage=1

Could anyone confirm if these are the right fit/will fix me up for me retest?
Probably follow this up with a bigger master cylinder week after