A COMPANY which readies recruits for a career in the services has expanded after securing a loan.

Bury-based Evolve Military College has been successfully training up to 50 young people at a time ahead of enlisting at their base in the Sea Cadet Buildings in Marsden Street.

And now with extra financing of £95,000, through the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF), the outfit has been able to branch out into Burnley.

Eleven new jobs has been created as a result of the expansion, with their recruits capacity now running at 120.

Within the next three years bosses at Evolve are hoping to take their business national and the loan should be the first step towards realising that dream.

Andrew Emmett, the college's managing director, said: "The work we do in areas such as Bury and Burnley is crucial to many young people.

"In helping these aspiring armed services personnel understand the daily life of the military, in addition to training their body and minds, we’re helping smooth the transition into service life as much as possible."

The NPIF loan for the firm, which takes on 16 to 24-year-olds for full-time and part-time training courses, has been overseen by GC Business Finance.

Mr Emmett added: "“Throughout the process, everyone at GC Business Finance – especially Simon Truby – and NPIF have been fantastic.

"Simon kept us well informed throughout the process, which itself was very easy to navigate.

"Now that we have access to the funding, we can go on and make a huge difference in areas that need us."

Mr Truby, GC's senior business loan manager, said: "At GC Business Finance, we are constantly looking for businesses that make a difference in their local communities. Evolve Military College does exactly that, and by facilitating the loan, not only are we helping the business expand by hiring new staff, but we're helping them grow their impact as well."