Thanks PoolDoc, unfortunately I now think my problems run deeper. I managed to lever the lid off eventually using a piece of metal pole, emptied the basket, it was very full but it hasn't made a difference. I have no movement at the skimmers and the polaris isn't moving either. There is water in the basket but it isn't filling all the way up,the water is streaming in but not gushing in like it normally does. is it possible I have something clogging the lines? I have now turned the pump off as I didn't want to do any damage. Today is the first day things have not been running right. We have had non stop rain for over a week but everything seemed to be ok up till today. Polaris was running etc.