A HEREFORDSHIRE farmer and entrepreneur turned down offers from three multi-millionaires on BBC2's Dragons' Den.

Jo Hilditch pitched her idea of expanding her British Cassis business on last night's show and asked for a £50,000 investment for a 10 percent share.

She told the five dragons how she ran an agriculture business and used the left over blackcurrants from her crop one year to produce the Cassis- a British version of the French Creme de Cassis.

The Lyonshall farmer explained how she had also expanded the range of fruit-based mixers to include pear, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry.

Jo told the Dragons she was looking for their expertise to help expand the brand.

Peter Jones offered her the full amount but for a 30 percent stake of the business and later offered to go halves with Deborah Meaden for a 15 percent stake each.

Sarah Willingham, who owns a successful chain of cocktail bars, questioned the branding but offered £50,000 for a 40 percent share.

She later added that once the business doubles its turnover Jo could buy back half of the shares for the same price she had paid.

But Jo refused all offers and said she had been advised by her accountant not to go above 25 percent and her stop place was 20 percent.

She said at the end of the show: "Probably Sarah would be fantastic and I know she would open hundreds of doors. Perhaps I should have taken that one."

Jo now hopes to take the feedback she got from the Den and make the brand as nationally recognised as the likes of local brands Tyrrells crisps and Chase Vodka.

For other entrepreneurs looking to pitch their brand to the infamous Dragons Jo has the following advice: “It is crucial to know your business inside and out. I took time on my business plan and kept in mind what my mission statement was and didn’t deviate from it.

"That meant I felt a lot more confident and not too nervous, which I think is important when trying to impress so many great business people.”

Go to www.britishcassis.co.uk. The programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.