My iPod automatically pauses mid-song

I've had my ipod nano for just over 2 years now.

For about a month now it has occasionally been pausing itself mid-song

It normally goes on for 20 minutes doing this until it shorts itself out for another 20 minutes until it starts over again.

I have tested it out with the earphones: Firstly I use apple earphones so no "3rd party" ear phones involved. I have also tested it with the ipod and earphones staying completely still, yet it sitll managed to pause itself.

This makes me believe that this is then a mechanical fault with the ipod and not to do with the connections.

So i'm asking:

• Why is it doing this?
• Is there anythign that can be done to fix it?
• Should I just get a new Ipod?

Thanks

Ben