Got in the car this morning and this didnt move a cm when I started the car! I flicked it to see if it was just stuck and still nothing

It was working fine yesterday though....

Is this a common problem and how can I fix this as I dont want it to overheat or anything

 

find the sensor near the themostat housing, with one wire on it - check that it's making a good connection to the terminal on the end of the sensor.
If still no joy, try earthing the wire directly to the head - with ignition on the gauge should go straight to maximum, if not the wire is broken or the gauge not working.
If the gauge does go up to max, then the sensor itself is broken.

 

Good advice there, the thing is they have a rubber boot on the end of the wire that pushes onto the head, these melt away or get crappy after many years and lose contact. do as above to try and trace the problem.

 

Got the sensor, nearly new if it is fooked mate. Send me a PM if you want it.

 

Right,

Just had a look and there is NO plug going onto the thermostat!
I have looked around the engine bay and I canot see where it has gone
It was working fine about 3 days ago so I cant see why it wouldnt work