Safety rail erection - wood fixing and treating..

I am making a safety rail for the steps that lead up to my mothers rear entrance.

I have got wood, cut and of the correct size all round, ready.

I need to attach several posts to the brick wall, then obviously put the wooden rail on the top, etc.

I was wondering what would be the best sort of fixing to use?

I was initially thinking rawl plugs, but are they not rather expensive? I think I will need about 14 of them. Then, I read somewhere about "resin anchors" and using resin and threaded rod instead.

What is the "best" choice?

Another consideration is treating the wood against future rot. I was thinking that since it is a safety/handrail, it would perhaps be a bit dubious to have any sort of preserver where it may have contact with the hands etc. Would it be ok to use varnish perhaps?

Drex - consider these:
www.screwfix.com/cats/100056/Fixings/Sleeve-Anchors
or these
www.screwfix.com/cats/100058/Fixings/Shield-Anchors
not very expensive and also available in places like B&Q, Wickes, etc.

Thanks, screwfix seem pretty good on the pricing.. Owing to convience needs, I started the job within a few hours of posting that and went to Focus I think it was and picked up the rawl plugs and some fixings similar to those..

I was scalped! How do they justify those high prices? Over double!