Inventor digs in with new idea for Dragons

Peter Neath and Ian Worton, from Aldridge, were seen by millions presenting their Grillstream machine on the popular BBC show. But after failing to secure the £120,000 investment they were looking for, 47-year-old Mr Neath said he was hoping to return for the programme's next series with his latest brainchild, an easy-to-use garden fork.

He and former Barr Beacon School friend Ian, aged 46, originally from Pheasey, attracted interest in the low fat cooking device from a number of the dragons, with millionaire businesswoman Deborah Meaden admitting that turning it down could be "one of the biggest mistakes" she had ever made.

And Mr Neath, who is the UK director for car parts firm Magneti Marelli, said his experience of dealing with executives from major international firms such as Volvo and Ford had stood him in good stead.

"They set it all up to make you feel very nervous, but we managed to hold our own," he said.

"The grill is designed to make sure none of the fat drips through and Deborah Meaden decided to have a closer look, so we were happy it worked when she tested it.

"I think because it worked and they could all see it was a good product. They were really quite polite with us.

"We did get the old line from Theo Paphitis, asking what we were going to spend his kids' inheritance on. But in the end, I think they were only really looking at it as a licensing deal, rather than the retail product we see it as."

But Mr Neath said they had already secured deals with three big retailers, including Lakeland.

Mr Neath said his easy-to-use garden fork had also been accepted to appear.

"I think it just goes to show that traditional Black Country skills picked up in the automotive industry can be put to good use in designing so many different things."