In reply to SimonT: The best combination of gear is probably going for B2 grade boots and grade 2 crampins and with that set up you can use them comfortably to at to a grade IV-V ice. Spend a bit more time on axes and thats the one bit of gear you will probably not up date as you get better. Try and go for curved shaftes and hardwaring picks. The best all round seem to be DMM axes or Grivel although there are many good ones out there.
As too hardware as your staring out just get three ice screws to start with as most routes up to about grade 3 have alot of good naturaly pro to be found after some digging around. Compliment this with your noraml summer rack too. Also look at maybe getting a deadman but practice the t axe belay too. Finally get yourself a down jacket and some good warm mitts for belaying in and a good pair of thin fleece gloves and waterproof over mitts to finish it all off.
This is all a very basic set up but would as a basic set up do you to proably about grade iv routes by which time you know the game and what works and what doesnt.