THE head of a group who organise second hand sales of baby and children’s goods, including one in Kinver, has secured investment on hit BBC show Dragons’ Den.

Cath Harrop, founder of Mum2Mum Market, appeared in front of the Dragons to ask for £35,000 investment to improve her company’s website in order to cope with the rapid growth it has seen in the last four years.

She started the company – a themed baby and children’s nearly new sale that allows mums to recycle their outgrown baby and children’s goods – in September 2011.

But in spite of having two young children, and no outside help or investment, the business has now expanded to a network of local mums running markets in more than 100 locations across the UK.

Cath said: “Appearing in front of the Dragons and having Deborah invest was a huge boost to the business and my confidence in my abilities.

“Having started the business from scratch it is thrilling to get recognition from someone as astute and well respected as Deborah Meaden.

“I didn’t expect to get investment. The male Dragons seemed to declare themselves out fairly quickly and they were right in the sense that Mum2mum market is never going to make anyone millions.

“But for myself and our franchisees the opportunity to work flexibly around our children without the need for childcare makes a huge difference to the life of our families.”

Nicki Rayner and Sam Davies run mum2mum markets in Kinver, working alongside their children Cody, Ruby, Emily and Abigail.

They said: “As a really small local business getting national exposure on prime time television is amazing and enquiries and stall bookings have gone berserk since the show aired.

“I really hope this publicity will introduce more mums to the joys of buying and selling second hand at their local mum2mum market and the huge savings which can be made.”

The next event in Kinver is on Saturday, March 26, between 10.30am and 12.30pm, at Kinver Community Centre, in Legion Drive.

Stalls must be booked in advance at www.mum2mummarket.co.uk, but buyers can turn up on the day and pay a £2 admission on the door.