Thanks everyone - some really great replies. I've often found on forums that by posting a new thread you're met with a barrage of insults and very little advice. It seems like you've got yourselves a good little place here.

Re: Frames - I've had a number of raleighs and peugeots over the years, and so perhaps to my own detriment I'm looking for something a little more exotic. I really like the idea of finding a frame built by a small British builder. I tend to lean towards spending my money on items made or sold by small independent businesses in almost everything, be it clothes or food shopping, so finding a frame by a small frame builder is certainly congruent with that.

I've come across a frame built by "Roberts" that looks interesting. Anyone know much about them?