Balvio solved this problem by sending me his peers.dat file to replace my peers.dat file, in the virtacoinplus folder.
So the way to go about doing this is as follows;     
With my windows7 OS, I clicked start (Bottom left hand corner) then typed in RUN (in the search programs and files space) then clicked on RUN in the Programs window. Typed in %appdata% and hit enter which then opens the 'Virtacoinplus' folder and this is where you replace the peers.dat file with the one downloaded. NB! I suggest you rename the old file, copypeers.dat and delete it when you are satisfied that Virtacoinplus is running smoothly.
Launch the wallet again and wait to start syncing.