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Hi guys,

I have two questions to ask:

I have a pretty old but trusty 1995 Ford Festiva. In the past week I've been feeling slight vibrations through my steering wheel. This is especially prevalent when I'm on the motorway and doing 70+km, with the vibrations getting a lot stronger. I should also add that I just had a new front left tyre put on as well due to a failed WOF.

Another thing worrying me is a hollow thumping/banging sound when I am releasing the brakes. This doesn't happen all the time and usually only when I am in a 50km zone, driving straight and braking often. I have also just noticed this in the last week as well.

Any advice/help please?

The vibration in the steering will almost certainly be a wheel balance or tyre problem and highly likely to be related to the new tyre - perhaps out of balance or a faulty / out of round tyre? I suggest returning to the tyre shop to get them to check it out.
The brake noise is something of a mystery if the noise is occuring when you release the brakes. It could be something relating to the rear brake shoes, as the brake drum (which contains the brake shoes) can act as a bit of an echo chamber, causing a noise which may or may not be a problem, but it would pay to have your mechanic check this out.