Balsacraft no longer exists unfortunately. What about a Chris Foss Uno Wot?:

http://www.stevewebb.co.uk/index.php...&area=Aircraft

It's made in the UK and is supposed to be a good trainer, especially if you use a buddy box. There are a few other trainer kits out there:

Laser Colibri:

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...xd.asp?id=1230

Sig Cadet Seniorita and Senior:

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=111
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=112

Building together is a great idea and a fantastic learning experience. Don't be deceived into thinking it's the cheaper option though. Far Eastern ARTFs have got so cheap that a ready built model actually costs less. When I decided to get a glow plane after flying electrics for a while, I bought a Ripmax Trainer 30 for £46. Every one of the kits I just suggested costs more than that.

If you want more UK related advice, you could join this forum:

http://www.rcmf.co.uk

It's small and very friendly and it's to talk to people a bit closer to home.

Oh, and another supplier you might look at is Mainly Models in Hitchin:

http://www.mainlymodels.com

They have some of the lowest prices in the UK for certain things, though you can't go far wrong with the bigger names like Al's, SMC etc.

Matthew