Hotpoint WMA32 washing machine does not drain water or spin clothes?

I have had my hotpoint WMA32 washing machine for 6 years. During the last wash, the machine did not spin the clothes and seemed to get stuck and it did not drain the water out. It took the washing powder from the drawer but not the softener. The clothes were left mid cycle as the machine did not finish the wash properly. I managed to get the clothes out, however, they were not washed properly and were soaking wet from not having been spun. THere is water still in the machine and it can not drain. Can anybody offer me any advice as to what the problem might be? The drum will go round so that does not seem to be broken, it just does not spin or drain. I think it could be something to do with the pump(?) or a blockage in the pipes. Where would I find these to check on my machine. It seems silly to buy a new machine if there is a simple solution to the problem and equally, I do not want to have to call an engineer out if I could fix the problem myself.

Nicola Ferrante
November 2007