Â鶹Éç

Layla Bennett has a falconry business that needs a lift and with Monty, the falcon, in hand, will she have the Dragons feeding out of the palm of her hand?

Layla glides through her pitch, making a strong case for Hawksdrift and finishes by inviting the Dragons to stroke Monty. Deborah Meaden immediately does so, swiftly followed by Theo Paphitis.

Deborah asks about the company’s turnover and finds it is rising year on year, from £38,000 in 2009 to projected figures of £125,000 for 2011. Layla says this is mainly due to the increasing number of pest control contracts they are securing.

Asked by James Caan how she would spend the money, Layla explains she wants to build a new aviary and pump £20,000 into advertising her corporate away days.

Peter Jones is the first Dragon to declare himself out - he admits it’s a great little business but says he wants something that could give him bigger returns on his investment.

Deborah is torn and suggests that while she is smitten by Monty in the end she admits there is not a compelling business reason to invest – her head rules her heart and she is out.

Duncan Bannatyne asks Layla about her assets and finds out she owns an eight acre field in mid-Wales, the result of careful saving, and that the land is included in the deal. The Scot likes her attitude.

Theo, however, is the first to make her an offer – half the £50,000 is wants but demanding a 20% share in exchange.

Duncan quickly counters this by offering Layla the full amount for 25% - exactly what she asked for.

James congratulates Layla on the smooth running of her business but says he won’t make her an offer as she already has the offer she wanted.

After a brief moment of hesitancy, an emotional and slightly tearful Layla gladly accepts the offer Duncan has proposed.

The deal done in the Den:

Duncan Bannatyne: £50,000 for a 25% stake in Hawksdrift.

Last updated: 2nd August 2010