Job offer revoked

[fliptheswitch]

Well, it doesn't rain, it pours...

I was offered a job recently, and had a letter from them (stating hours, salary, etc) which I accepted, so I handed in my notice to my then employers.
I've just been sent another letter, to say that "due to unsatisfactory references", the offer has been revoked.
I have contacted them, and they've told me that that both companies I used to work for sent them back a "standard reference" which just stated the dates I used to work for them, position and reason for leaving. Apparently, this is not what they wanted and, due to being "burnt" by the last person who took on the job, they want something far more in depth.
I have contacted both of my last employers, and they've said that's all they can give now, and that's all that most large corporate companies will give. I have tried explaining this to them, but they say their position still stands.
They have even spoken to my last employers on the phone, who have told them this is all they are allowed to now give, due to legal reasons (not sure what that means?)
They have also spoken to the agency (I got the job through a recruitment agency) and they have confirmed that this is all they give, a standard reference.
I have literally spent the past hour on the phone, trying to sort this out, but they have said there is nothing they can do and have revoked the job offer.
I am at my wits end, I just don't know what to do.

[Pimpernel]

References are such rubbish anyway. One of my managers offered to give me a 'morality' reference for a lettings agency. She's apparently done it in the past, including for temps that she didn't know from Eve. I've since found out that when she was married, she was having an affair... while the kids were at school and her husband at work... Morality my foot!