BUSINESSES can apply for loans worth up to £20,000 from the Cumbria Capital Fund.

Loans are available for any type of venture, whether it is a new business, an expanding firm and even a business rescue.

Businesses in South Lakeland, Barrow, Eden and Carlisle are all eligible to apply for loans, which typically range from £5,000 to £15,000, although the figure can rise to as much as £20,000 in exceptional circumstances.

Loans are repayable by monthly instalments over three years, with the rate of interest being the bank base rate plus two per cent.

The fund operates as a lender of last resort for businesses that cannot raise finance from another source.

For details, contact local enterprise agencies. For South Lakeland, ring Jim Crewe at Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency on 01539-726624; for Eden, tel Bob Clark at CREA on 01768-891555; and for Barrow, ring Harry Knowles on 01229-820611.