Hotpoint Spinning Problem?

Applicance: Hotpoint Aquarius WD440

My hotpoint washing machine has developed a fault where the drum wont spin properly. In the first part of the washing cycle, it tries to spin and only spins partially then stops. This continues until toward the end of the cycle when it appears to spin normally at its last final spins. At first, I thought it may be a belt problem but I cant understand how it hardly can spin the first part of the washing cycle, but appears to spin normally during the last few fast spin cycles. Can you please help?