there are very few Epiphone Les Pauls that are actually worth the money.
I'd just save up the extra scratch and buy a Gibson

im in school and i got my Gibson Les Paul Classic when i was a sophmore...so it IS possible my friend...anywho....im not really sure what the exchange rate is but i know Epiphone Custom is about $600 american....not too sure about the playablity of the standards...i have never played one myself

I've been playing Les Pauls a lot at stores lately. They sure are thick and crispy. Here in the US they can be had for the equivilent of about 150 quid, in good shape too. Here's one for sale in my area:

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/msg/585936448.html

I find they really are best for big rock distortion. For clean I much prefer my Stratocaster.

My grandson wants the Epiphone Les Paul and the run $449 at Guitar Center. Sounded like an OK price