I ahve jsut developed the most awful pain around my hips and thighs

[saltire]

and it's going down my legs, and I have pins and needles!

Trapped nerve in hip/groin area (I get that, get pain in buttocks and down thigh)

like this?

and ignore what it says about obesity - I am a size 14, although tight clothing can cause this some people just get it (if that's what you have) and I have had several hip operations so prone to this.

It's down both legs though, the pain is like a band round my hips, then down both legs into the ankles, and pins and needles

Can you get sciatica in both legs?

Maybe phone NHS Direct?

Hope you get relief soon