[a_friend]

Will be going to Race of Chamipons on the 14 December so I need a inexpensive zoom lens. I have identified these

Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - Canon Fit
Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III Lens
Canon EF 55-200mm f4.5-5.6 USM II Lens or the IS version
Canon EF 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 USM Lens (a little over the 200 budget)

all sourced from Warehouse Express - Digital Camera, Digital SLR Cameras, Lens, Canon, Nikon

not to sure whcich one to go for?

[denno75uk]

From personal experience I'd say disregard the Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 USM III. I found it to be simply too soft at 200-300, even stopped down.
The others you've selected all get decent enough reviews so there may not be much in it. I suppose the 55-250 does have IS.

[dfrear]

The Canon 55-250 IS will suit perfectly, under 200 quid, very sharp for the money, light and IS. Perfect! Also, the difference between 250 and 300 is pretty much nothing when your using them.