USB hobby development kits

[GadgetMaster]

Is this the type of thing you are talking about?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=37172

...

[GadgetMaster]

I'm thinking more along the lines of this: http://linuxk8055.free.fr/ but these boards are not cheap

I don't know what the normal prices are for these kind of things but here is a UK distributor selling them.

http://www.quasarelectronics.com/velleman/k8055-usb-experiment-interface-board-kit.htm £38.95

http://www.quasarelectronics.com/velleman/k8061-extended-usb-interface-board-kit.htm £99.95

[GadgetMaster]

Looks interesting. Don't forget to update us once you have completed your project.