Hotpoint RCNAA33P defrosting

[Loofah]

Hi, I've had the above chest freezer in the garage which has been working fine for the last few years. I noticed today that the alarm and power indicator lights are off and the freezer is defrosting. The odd thing is that the light comes on in the freezer and the fast freeze function makes the compressor run and freeze back up.
As altering the temp setting seems to have no effect I'm thinking the thermostat is broken. Can anyone provide any help in terms of my diagnosis? I don't really want to shell out £125 for a repair!
Many thanks

 

[theoneandonlyspindoctor]

If the stat goes, the compressor will not run, unless you press the fast freeze which bypasses the stat to the compressor overload. The stat has gone and is available C00064525 is the part number