The Start-Up Loans Company, chaired by former Dragon James Caan, which helps thousands of young people start a business, has been given the green light to open their doors to budding entrepreneurs of all ages.

What previously has been a scheme targeted at 18-30 year olds, the programme will soon be available for anyone who needs support and help in turning their idea into a thriving business.

Chairman James Caan said “I welcome Lord Young’s recommendation to remove the age cap for Start-Up Loans. Seeing the huge success of the programme to date exceeding our initial targets...

Hundreds of students and members of the Pakistani community gathered on Monday outside the embassy in London to protest against the recent vote in Pakistan, which they say was rigged.

Last Saturday's election saw the victory of Nawaz Sharif, the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Sharif denied allegations of rigging and asked Imran Khan, former national cricket captain and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI), to "show the sportsman's spirit" and to accept his defeat.

In Pakistan hundreds of PTI supporters held demonstrations in Lahore and...

In an attempt to protect unborn babies from the effects of smoking, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has suggested that pregnant women be tested for carbon monoxide (CO) during antenatal appointments, via an immediate and non-invasive biochemical method, and referred to "smoking cessation services" if needed. The All Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group, (APPCOG), welcome NICE's proposals for pregnant women to be offered the carbon monoxide test. This will be especially beneficial for those women who are concerned about being exposed to carbon monoxide...

Following investigations, it is now thought that yesterday morning's fire at the Summercourt area of Cornwall near Newquay may have been started deliberately.

A large number of buses were completely deystroyed by the fire, which is having an impact on the bus service provided in mid-Cornwall however Western Greyhound say they are doing everything they can to prevent disruption to vital services such as school buses. 35 buses were reported to have been destroyed in the fire, however, no people were injured.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious...

A record number of children have been safeguarded from sexual abusers in the past year, figures from the UK’s leading child protection agency reveal today. In 2012/2013, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre safeguarded and protected 790 children – an increase of 85 per cent on the previous year, and the highest yearly figure since the Centre launched in 2006. It now brings the total number of protected children to 2,255 in its seven-year history. Figures in its Annual Review and Centre Plan also reveal that CEOP dealt with 18,887 reports of abuse from the public and...

Following its continued success, Heritage Healthcare - a leading provider of home-based care - has unveiled its ambitious expansion plans that will see it offering attractive business and employment opportunities in Bristol and the South West.

The company has launched a franchising division and is looking for committed, ambitious and motivated people in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth areas who have the desire to own, operate and develop their own business and would like to join it in providing excellent quality care that enables people to enjoy independent lives in the comfort of...

On Saturday 18 May, Exeter City fans will be taking on Yeovil Town fans at Elmore FC for the Adam Stansfield Memorial Trophy. The game kicks off at 11.30am, in order to allow players and fans to watch the League 2 play-off final between Bradford and Northampton at the clubhouse at Elmore, which kicks off at 1.30pm. Since the passing of Adam Stansfield in 2010, Grecians and Glovers have been getting together to play football in memory of a hero of both clubs in order to raise money for the Adam Stansfield Foundation. Exeter are current holders of the trophy, having triumphed for the first...

We are over two months into the Government's Green Deal loan scheme. Is it an affordable way for householders to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and save money or will it be a bureaucratic white elephant?

The Green Deal is a government initiative to encourage home owners to install energy-saving measures in their homes. These loans are paid back through the savings made on your energy bills over a maximum of 25 years. The Green Deal loan is attached to your property so if you move before the loan has been paid off; it will pass on to the new owner or tenant.

...

A charity project is appealing for old unwanted bikes for a new venture.

Exeter Community Bikes has launched a scheme to recycle and refurbish bicycles while giving training and skills to the long-term unemployed. The money from the sale of the re-vamped machines will go back into the project to help more trainees and give them useful business experience.

Jola Pawlikowski, who is heading up the scheme said she had been delighted with the level of support from across the city including bike enthusiast city MP Ben Bradshaw. “We have had loads of help from all sorts of people...