DSL Business Finance, the not-for-profit business support agency based in Glasgow, yesterday cele- brated its 15th birthday and said it had now provided £7m to struggling SMEs and start-ups since it began in 1993.

DSL Business Finance, the not-for-profit business support agency based in Glasgow, yesterday cele- brated its 15th birthday and said it had now provided £7m to struggling SMEs and start-ups since it began in 1993.

The operation, which has its headquarters in the city's Govan area, was originally set up with cash from the Body Shop and has helped more than 600 fledgling companies across Glasgow and the west of Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Deputy First Minister, who attended yesterday's celebration, said: "DSL's track record speaks for itself - they've helped hundreds of businesses that might otherwise have had nowhere else to turn.

"Their contribution not only supports individual businesses but boosts the wider economy in the west of Scotland."

The group's offering is aimed at businesses unable to secure funds from banks because they are considered to be high risk.

DSL also recently expanded its £1.5m loan fund into Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Eunice Lancaster, general manger of DSL Business Finance, said: "Our research shows that investing in small businesses and social enterprises creates real jobs and real investment in communities which need it most.

"We estimate that as a result of the £7m of loans we have given to businesses in the past 15 years, further investment of £12m has been generated from other organisations."