Plus I got abuse for "just sitting there revving the nuts off it" which I
wasn't, it was doing that all by itself, even with the ignition key out!
Anyway, the good old AA rescued me and took the car to an Autohaus to be
mended.

Do you drive a stick or an automatic?
If you are driving a stick you should have shut the engine down by leaving
it in gear and slam de brakes and keep the brake pedal down until the engine
stalls.
I don't know if it is possible with an automatic though, don't think so with
the torque converter and such.

Remco