A Bradford-based fund that helps small businesses spurned by the banks has thrown a lifeline to a recently-launched sports clothing company.

The Business Enterprise Fund, which operates across West and North Yorkshire, has provided £20,000 to entrepreneur Carl Burrows to enable him to get the business off the ground.

After approaching BEF Mr Burrows, whose family was in the textile trade in Bradford, was able to access funding, launch his business and take on staff at his new firm Larco Sports.

Mr Burrows, whose Ripon-based business supplies triathlon clothing, said he found high street banks put hurdles in his way when setting up his business.

He said: “I needed support as a start-up and was struggling to get it from the high street banks.

“I came across the Business Enterprise Fund which has been helpful from day one. My advisor knew about the sporting industry and I was given £20,000 from BEF which formed the stepping stones to get me up and running.”

Larco Sports was formed in January and supplies wetsuits, trisuits and fashion ranges with a unique design enabling full body movement.

Launching the business took Mr Burrows back to his textile routes which involved cloth weaving in Bradford for Marks & Spencer. His new business uses advanced materials for clothing that maximises comfort and performance for triathletes.

Before launching Larco Sports, Mr Burrows had a diverse career. He said: “I spent about ten years in the property sector but my passion and background was in textiles. My family used to weave in Bradford, Cleckheaton and other parts of West Yorkshire for Marks & Spencer’s.

“I have also always been interested in sports and used to get frustrated when I couldn’t get the right equipment I needed. This gave me the inspiration to set up my own business.”

Larco Sports now has three staff and its team includes designers who previously worked for American sportswear firm Nike and tennis specialists Head.

Mr Burrows’ ambition is to build his business into a nationally recognised brand, boosted by the triathlon success of the Brownlee brothers.

Mr Burrows said: “The business is going really well and quickly.

“It began operating properly at the start of the year.

“My long term hopes for the business is to get catalogue and the possibility of a national presence.

“I would say BEF did what it said on the tin and I would recommend them to anybody, but would advise people to ensure they have a good business plan prepared to go with.”

BEF aims to lend £4 million this year and £6 million in 2014.