A DIRECT descendant of Charles Darwin is hoping to find a backer for his bookshop after being turned down on Dragons' Den.

Business partners William Pryor and Fenna Leake impressed the panel on the hit BBC show, although they decided not to invest in the venture.

The couple own Somerset-based Bookbarn International selling second-hand books online and through their bookshop.

After the disappointment of missing out on last Sunday's programme, they are now searching for new financial backers.

Mr Pryor, Darwin's great great grandson, said: “Though my ancestry seemed to excite Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman took a real shine to Fenna, the Dragons all said, 'I’m out', despite our continued 25 per cent a year growth.

"We are confident of the future and are now looking beyond the Den for funding to take the business to the next level.

“It was an inspiring experience. The conversation with the Dragons was helpful and encouraging.

"We acquired Bookbarn in 2013 and set out to build the brand, software and systems to enable the business to trade efficiently on a global scale, and the Dragons appreciated the progress we’ve made.

"We are now in advanced talks with funders keen to join us in growing the business still further.

“Our business is mostly online but our warehouse in Hallatrow, near Bristol, is attracting an increasing number of visitors, keen to enjoy the Full Stop Café, buy books in our enormous £1 shop and browse antiquarian and rare items in our Darwin Rare Book Room.

“The local and global aspects to our business do take a little explaining and the whole Dragons’ Den experience helped us find answers to some vital questions, answers that are proving a great help in the serious talks we are now in with potential funders.

“We have a passion for books and we hope that shone through in the Den.”