A man from Wareham won £40,000-worth of investment for his home brewing company after starring on the BBC’s Dragon’s Den.

Alex Dixon, who co-founded Victor’s Drinks with fellow uni friend, Ralph Broadbent, starred in the programme to pitch their company idea, which consists of a starter kit for making cider, to the stars of the show.

Star Duncan Bannatyne, saw potential in developing the company and eventually agreed to a £40,000 stake in the business, in return for a 25 per cent share. The deal will drop to 15 per cent if the company hits their profit targets over the next three years.

Alex said: “When we went on Dragon’s Den, we were looking for someone to grow the business quite quickly.

“Back in October last year, we didn’t know the retail side so much, so that was lacking and where we needed help from the Dragons.

“There was very little positivity from them during the entire pitch which I guess makes for good TV and makes you really evaluate your business.

“However, the response since the programme went out on the TV has been great and our current customers and stockists have seen an increase in sales.”

Alex says that the company started out as a hobby while studying at Manch-ester University and grew after their friends tried the drinks themselves.

“I got into home-brewing at uni, but saw that it was normally quite expensive if you want to buy all the bottles and equipment.

“One of the biggest risks with home-brewing is the sterilisation process, so we had to try and make something that was simple to do and yet still affordable.”

In the past year Alex and Ralph have got the Victor’s Drinks range stocked at online retailer, Firebox, along with Hawkins Bazaar and Menkind, along with a number of gift shops and garden centres.

“We are not aiming Victor’s Drinks at the home brew market, it’s more about young people and those who have always wanted to try it but have not had the time or money to buy all the things.”

“In the long term, we hope to get it into the supermarkets placed next to the ready-to-drink products.”