You have a stuck floatswitch my friend.
remove power.
Remove the r/h side panel to reveal the motor.
Just behind the motor there is a beige box with a microswitch attatched.
Give this switch some exercise(switch it!) and it'll be fine.
if you move the drum round you'll find you can get your hand in easier.
avoid this problem by emptying water on every use.
hotpoint man
April 2005