2002 Citroen Xsara warning alarm sounding no electrics

For the last few days when cold and starting off, my car cuts out, restarts fine and once warm drives fine. Today the same thing happened but now all the electrics seem to have tripped. There is now an alarm sounding from the steering column (I think) and when ignition switched on, no dashboard lights, and whirring noise coming from electrical compartment under the bonnet - seems to be coming from underneath the circuit board all plugs and wiring for electrics are plugged into.