Email access via pay-as-you-go

From Maidstone, UK,

I have just purchased a new mobile, in particular so that I can access my normal AOL Email correspondence when I'm away from my PC. I was assured by the salesman at Comet that the phone I bought (an O2 payg WAP-enabled job) would do this. When I checked with O2 Customer Service, however, they advised that this facility is only available to monthly contract phones and I am restricted to the O2 Email service - which I don't want as it involves a different Email address. Whilst Comet have agreed to refund my money, I would still like a payg unit with normal Email/Internet access. Is there a mobile phone company who offers this?