APPCRASH with Game "Empire Total War" c0000005

Hi

I am having a problem with my computer game Empire Total War
At specific moments in the Game when I do a certain action the game crashes to Windows with the error message below and I am unable to get past this.
I have tried several options involving where the game might be the problem but it was working before and now I am wondering if the problem is in fact with Windows.
I have a genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 bit operating system.
Here is the error message:
Many Thanks for your help

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: Empire.exe
Application Version: 1.5.0.0
Application Timestamp: 4b74239d
Fault Module Name: Empire.exe
Fault Module Version: 1.5.0.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 4b74239d
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 00509a93
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.48
Locale ID: 2057
Additional Information 1: 0a9e
Additional Information 2: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789
Additional Information 3: 0a9e
Additional Information 4: 0a9e372d3b4ad19135b953a78882e789

Its not a blue screen of death
Does anyone need any more information?

I am unable to find any fault with the game so far.
I think it could be an issue with my Windows but I am unable to find it.
I have followed the BSOD - Posting Instructions and attached the information in-case it's needed
Thanks

Attachment 219308

Attachment 219309