Hi,
As Bill said the Pickit2 is the best if you want something thats ready to use and has all the extras like Logic and Usart tools etc.
You can buy the Pickit2 from Farnells or RS in the UK - here are the codes as there is a lot of PK2 variants - the only ones worth considering are the base unit or the Debug Express which as a demo board.
Farnells code 1340 278 PK2 Debug Express and 984-170 Pk2 programmer only.
If you want something more adaptable and to build the the Junebug is a good choice with all its expansion ports etc.
If you still prefer to build a basic programmer - forget serial and parallel units, they seldom work fully, and build a basic function USB Pickit2 programmer clone - very easy - the catch is you need to program up its microchip a pic18f2550 - if you cannot get that done locally could always do it for you - only a day in the post.