Harsh reality is that many of the airlines are looking for youth or experience. Curent phrase is experience commensurate with age so if you're in your thirties and have 250 hrs you're probably not going to get much of a look in. There are exceptions, I know, and I have a friend who started with Brittania last year with 400 odd hrs in his early-mid thirties. BA Citiexpress looking for people who are under 30. EasyJet accepting people on their TRSS who have in excess of 500 hrs. Even if you do join FlyBE, BA Citiexpress or Loganair, how long will it take you to pay back £60000 when you're earning £20000?
Pay scales here
There is no business case in the world that can justify this. Remember the bank wants to lend to you because that's how they make their money.