I'm a few months from completing an MBA which I undertook to help me facilitate a career change. I am very keen on moving into consulting, but having read some of the threads it would seem that at my age (30), trying to start in consulting would either be inadvisable or near-impossible! Can anyone offer me hope? or advice on where to start?

Consulting is a big place. If you think of consulting entry points...yes probably better to be MBA, 24 yrs old, good academics for the mainstream who want bright malleable people. At 30, and I assume good academics and experience, you are just as useful but have to present yourself as having more to hit the ground running. I'd recommend aiming your search at companies who buy experience (?Cap/IBM/PA) rather than the more traditional routes (Acc/Del). And before anyone adds I recognise these companies are a small proportion of consulting firms! Good luck