PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed the fact 16 Pendle entrepreneurs have been assisted by a Whitehall start-up loans scheme.

He said: “Because of the financial crisis this Government inherited, people who want to set up a new business have often found it hard to get a loan.

“This has prevented people with ideas and aspiration from putting their business plans into action.”

The various start-up loans which have been handed out to Pendle go-getters in recent months total £62,210.

He added: “New businesses are the lifeblood of a healthy economy.”