Timed out with Thunderbird connection

Using Win 7 and Mozzila /Thunderbird with Virgin media.

Mozzila connects ok to internet.

I use Thunderbird to connect to newsgroups but it has started to `time out`

I haven't downloaded anything prior to this starting, nor knowingly changed any settings.

Is there a solution?

Oddly, I can find nothing on TBird and timing out with newsgroups, only email servers. 

Does it work for email? Are all newsgroups timing out? 

This is the message I get.

Nothing in Thunderbird opens and all time out.

Mozzila Firefox connects to the internet ok.

Forum wont let me post image,   so..

Message:

…."Thunderbird.

                           Connection to server news.vir…media

                           Timed out"

I had to abbreviate the server name as it kept saying not allowed.