Zanussi ZWF14380W strange filling issue?

Our 18 month old Zanussi ZWF14380W decided to stop filling itself one day. It was part way through a cycle, got to the rinse stage and didnt fill. If you leave it the pause button will eventually flash red.

However, I stuck a hosepipe into the powder draw and started to fill it that way. after a couple of seconds it starts to fill itself again, turning off when it has the required amount of water.

When it gets to the rinse stage its the same story, stick the hose in for a bit then it will fill itself.

Any ideas?

Thanks