Can anyone suggest any brokers and what charges are best , some say d4free , others cfd's have seen the add for the synthesis bank, that looks quite good , how do they stack up against gni etc ?

I use Comdirect for 12.50 per deal online, also Hoodless Brennan at 7.00 per deal online. Haven't tried CFD trading too nervous!

I use Redmayne-Bently: Expensive, 1.65% commision, but they always manage to improve on the quoted "bid" and "ask" prices. Do other brokers do the same?

Avoid charles stanley / egg. Crap crap crap service.
HSBC seem to be about the best I've used. Usually get well below the offer and never really had a problem filling an order way above NMS.
11.99 a trade online.