ok just a quick update, 45 mins after engineer left got same problem, phoned and got a new date for repair, when the guys arrived they brought with them a new board and heater which they fitted ..............so machine is on just now and fingers crossed but as to what the problem really was dont really know but after talking to the guys most probably the main board was faulty but because they had it and because they could they renewed the heater element as well............and on a definately more positive note for me I have nothing but praise for Hotpoints customer service people and engineers, there polite , curtious, fast and efficient ( of course your experience may be different ), its important to state the good aswell as the bad, I'll keep you all updated
slimpknz, February 2006