Index funds from the UK

[Mr_Blonde]

I just read Chrisman886's post on investing 101 and would like to put a large portion of my roll into an index fund.. however the online brokerage accounts he recommends (E*Trade, TDAmeritrade) are both American based. Does anyone know a good place to get started in the UK? Is Barclays Stockbrokers basically the same thing?

Thanks

edit: If possible, I'd like a checking account to go with it so I can easily cash in/cash out from Party etc.