Buying shares in US internet companies from UK

[kapow]

I am interested in investing in stocks / shares in the web / search engine world.

A lot of the companies are U.S. companies e.g. Google or Overture. I live in the UK, as far as I can tell from my initial enquiries there is a minimum amount for purchases of US shares if you are in the UK e.g. a minimum of £1500.

I want to buy £500 here and £500 there, just to explore and get to know the subject.

Can anyone else in the UK recommend a Broker or method of buying international shares without such a high minimum purchase, or high commisions.

[georgeek]

I use Brown and Co. Google (brown company online investing) from the UK. No problems and very fast execution from their website. If you want to day-trade use MBT Navigator with smart order routing.

Good luck!

[Kandevil]

I use [comdirect.co.uk...]

Shares approx worth 1/6th of original stake :)

Hanging on in for the long term. Optical networks and pharmaceuticals make up the bulk of my US stock.