i noticed yesterday a high pitched sqealing noise as i was going along, when i looked further the front wheels were extremely hot,also my temperature gauge is totally kaput, it reads off the scale all the time obviously it needs fixing, i have been reding the threads and wondered if i will need the sensor as well as the thermostat, many thanks in anticipation

squealing is probably metal to metal on front brakes. temp guage is most likely the CTS at fault and will probably need replacing.

sort out your brakes NOW

sorry for my ignorance, whats a CTS?

Coolant temperature sensor at a guess

Coolant Temperature Sensor

And the brakes are probably due to a seized/stuck caliper.

*damn it, Alex beat me.