Bora Petrol flap won't lock

Opened the petrol flap as normal from the switch under the hand brake but when I came to close and lock it the flap will not lock. It appears that the the flap will not catch the spring inside the flap. Is this an electrical problem, or the switch. Any help appreciated

my dad has the same problem with his Bora think it maybe similar to my boot problem with it being a solenoid