Wont Select Reverse 2300 Manual (1999)

[mikefahey]

Hi I booked my 126,000 utterly trouble free (apart from water in the footwell) 2300 petrol manual in for its MOT yesterday and checking the lights etc in advance it wouldnt select reverse?

Try as I might it will push across the gate against the spring pressure but wont move backwards into the reverse position. It is solid. All the other gears with the engine running select normally and are easy to engage and all appear to work. The question is what is causing this to "Lock out of Reverse"

Help please did a thousand miles in the car last week - perfect! Thanks in advance.