The only 'catch' I could see was that you have to have 5 payments into the account per month. As I didn't want it as my main current account I set up 5 monthly standing orders for 1 penny each. They haven't pulled me up for it yet...
I opened an N&P current account earlier this year for this very purpose. No charges abroad whatsoever. Decent website and customer service to boot.
http://www.nandp.co.uk/