OMFG! The fat old bald git has managed to fix something by himself
Vaguely following directions from on here while lying on my back with my legs in the air, I've managed to fix my cruise control! Couldn't see what I was doing, but located this ratchety thing that slid back and forth above the clutch pedal. Slid it as far toward the back of the car as poss and let the clutch pedal back to normal and, hey ho, it works! Took about 10 seconds in total.
This may be simples to you chaps, but it's a big deal to me. Mind you, it did take me 10 minutes to get out of the car and upright again
Thanks to greeners for the handy hints..