I have had a few problems just lately my 52 plate 1.9D cut out at 60mph and restarted 30 minutes later I then used it for one week to the day with out any issues, Today I used it and parked it for 2 hours and it will not start just spins over I took the pipe off the filter and it was dry in side the filter no fuel you can see the paper filter. Now then the tank sender reads 1/2 a tank, never had any problems with dodgy reading.
could this be the crank sensor? or is there a fuel relay. Is there a filter at the tank sender end and is there a plate in side the van to gain access to the sender mine as a ply floor before I start pulling it apart. regards for any help Gaz ps or may be I have just ran out of just and the senders stuck on half?

You should be able to hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds when you switch on the ignition. How certain are you there is fuel in the tank? If the fuel filter is dry, then clearly diesel isn't getting to where it needs to be, so I'd start from there.

Thank you Dr No, here is an up date,
I just went back after 2 hours and it started first click of the key I removed the crank sensor I will get a new one and fit it in the morning and let you know how we go. I thought it was only submersible electric pumps that primed before start?

I doubt if the crank sensor will stop the fuel getting through, the fuel gauge sender is not the fuel pump.
I would look at the fuel pump.