Please can someone advise me what to do next as my washing machine has given up the will to live. After washing my sons ridiculously muddy rugby kit the machine refuses to spin or indeed even turn [the drum] I have run the machine on empty several time to no avail. Could it be that the mud has somehow caked the bottom of the drum or is it a little more serious?

The mud killed it. You might have a real caked mess on your hands. You might have to call a repairdude to fix this problem.

Hmm... think you might be right but thanks anyway