I think I might have got to the bottom of the problem

I jumped in the car the other morning and started the car and pressed the peddle a couple of times and the travel was about half way down and firm every time i pressed the peddle, peddle wasn't creeping up so im sure no air is getting in but I did have the handbrake on so im thinking the rear shoes need adjusting??? I'll try again with the handbrake off before I start to see if the peddle sinks to the bottom when pressed.

Cheers Steve