Fiesta 1998 Ghia X 1.4 Zetec - Fiesta 1998 intermittent cold starting problem - Richard_J_S

Probably half the times I cold-start this car I get the following symptoms: With both feet OFF the pedals the revs climb to 2000+ then drop and climb a few times until finally dropping below 500 where the engine stalls. This repeats a few times until it finally starts as normal with initial revs of about 1250 before dropping and holding at about 1000. Warm start is no problem and general driving behaviour (of the car!) is fine. I'm looking for advice as to where the problem might lay or at least what to be careful of forking out for if I take it to a garage.