A pioneering project offering loans to new businesses which cannot get finance from high street lenders could be extended across Bradford.

Business Link has piloted a scheme in the Bradford Trident area where entrepreneurs can get loans for up to £5,000 even if they are turned away by the major banks.

Bradford Trident is the regeneration company which covers the West Bowling, Marshfields and Park Lane areas of the city.

Yesterday, the Government announced plans to provide more than £11 million nationally for a programme of such schemes in disadvantaged communities.

If a scheme planned by Bradford Chamber of Commerce wins backing, it could mean the programme being piloted in the Trident area is extended.

Under the loans scheme, businesses are offered a range of linked support services including advice, training and mentoring.

Andy Brennan, jobs and business programme manager for Bradford Trident, said it was hard for entrepreneurs from poorer backgrounds to secure loans from high street banks.

"This really is an issue for businesses," he said. "The high street banks tend to have pulled out of inner city areas both in terms of branches and through offering support to businesses there.

"We can often fill that gap, but at the same time we want to persuade the banks that there are businesses out there that have great potential and are worth investing in."

The scheme is run in conjunction with HSBC and Mr Brennan said offering loans to firms was often better than handing over grants. At Bradford Trident, we do offer grants but the money will not last forever and we want to wean businesses off becoming grant dependent," he said.

For information about Trident, call Mr Brennan on (01274) 434907.