desk counter

hi, i want to build a counter that is desk mounted. it needs to be able to count to 999 from single inputs by hand(finger) it also needs to be re-setable, and have a memory for several days at atime. a lcd readout would be nice! i know a small amount about what is involved, but amat a lost with which chips, etc.to use. please help!:
thanks for the info, but i'm a bus driver and don't have access to any programing things, nor do i know where to buy the bits required

Use a PIC and an LCD text module! - with a little code writing it will meet all your requirements with hardly any components at all!.

Expanding on Nigel's suggestion, a PIC 16F84 or similar (newer for better power performance) chip, with an LMxxx LCD character display, a couple of push button switches and a five volt power supply may be your cheapest solution. If you plan on using batteries, I'd use 4 cells and drop the voltage back to 5v still with a regulator (LDO type) or even better use a boost converter to produce 5v from anything down to about 2v input supply. The LCD's can get a little temperamental at lower voltages than about 4.5V.

Also, take care with your software if you want several days performance from batteries - use the power saving facilities of the PIC chip such as sleep mode etc. and even blank the LCD if the buttons aren't pressed for a while - you then have potential for something that could work for weeks!