Long wash cycle on Zanussi FJS1225W?

Can anyone help? My zanussi washing machine takes upto 4 hours to run through its wash cycle when before it used to take just 1.19 hours on a synthetic wash. It seems to get stick during the wash and counts down extremely slowly. I've tried to cancel it part way through a wash and restart at the next (rinse) stage. When I do the start light flashes as normal but nothing happen when I press the start button. I have to leave it for 30 minutes before it will work again. There's no problem pumping the water out.

I'm also not convinced the water is heating up to it's proper temp though the bowl does get warm.

Is there an easy fix or should I give up and get a new machine?

MorganB
September 2010