hi there, try alliance and leicester, i had a less than perfect credit history and they still offered me a visa and overdraft.  i do not recommend their switching service, i did not use it and have heard nothing but problems through people letting A+L do this for them, you will find plently complaints if you look through but i have had nothing but sweetnew form them, i look after my account, i bank online every day and i know what is coming in and out of my account and how much is available.

 and the advice previously is brilliant, get yourself a couple of catalogues, additions.co.uk, littlewoods.com etc etc and buy cheap items and pay your bills every month on time. do not clear the balance after one month nless you intend to buy something every month and then pay it off in full, i always buy a few things maybe £100 worth and then pay just over the minimum balance, the amount you pay does not show on your credit file but that you have paid every month on time does!

good lucjk and let us know