Layla walks out of Dragons' Den with £50,000

A Mid Wales entrepreneur was today celebrating after securing investment from one of television's famous businessmen.

Layla Bennett, 26, who runs Hawksdrift Falconry in Builth Wells, appeared on Dragons' Den last night on BBC2 looking for investment in her company.

She offered the five dragons a 25 per cent share in the business which acts as a pest control service, wedding ring delivery and falconry displays, for £50,000.

And she was delighted when Duncan Bannatyne offered her the full amount.

She said: "I was absolutely delighted when Duncan made me the full offer.

"I was very nervous but all five of the dragons were incredibly supportive of my business because if they had been aggressive I don't know what I would have done.

"I'm incredibly pleased I've got his support and backing and I'm looking forward to working with him. The investment will mean that the business will now be able to expand and I will be able to employ more staff to help with my workload.

"My phone hasn't stopped ringing since the programme was aired last night and I've already had about 30 telephone calls and e-mails enquiring about the business."

Miss Thomas said the firm had recently won a major contract to act as pest controllers on landfill sites.