Hotpoint WMA30 washing machine with very noisy spinning action?

My Hotpoint WMA 30 washing machine, just out of 5 year warranty, has suddenly become very noisy when in spin program (almost as if a balance block is loose?), but still washes properly.

I have removed the little panel at the back to see if I can get to anything relevant (I can't!!) - can anybody come up with an idea why it is so noisy or advise how to remove cover fully to see if I can see anything (or is this just an engineer jobby?).

cheers

Allan Hillman
August 2006