A Measham man has been approached by BBC TV's Dragons' Den after his idea for a new business directory app took off.

John Whitbread sold his home and has put everything on the line to finance the project.

And now he has been told it is growing faster than some of the country's best known popular app brands.

Now Dragons' Den have sounded John out about going on the show which offers thousands of pounds in funding - if you can persuade the programme's business brains to part with their cash.

"Recently, I saw a lady I know, she has two babies, she's a single mum, she had a basket of washing on the driving seat, and she's doing ironing on the side," said John.

"She struggles to work, be on social media trying to get more work and with no advertising budget, alongside being a parent. "

"And I thought: 'There are thousands like her'. She's on Facebook trying to find work. She's at the very edge of the spectrum and if I can cater for her, then I can do the same for the rest of the people in the middle."

"I got the idea because I needed a dog groomer and realised there was no one place I could go, other than my local Facebook page and ask for recommendations. A lot of the big brands focus on the trades and not these amazing services we all need from time to time. After that lightbulb moment my eyes opened and I could see this happening everywhere on social media. There is obviously a need.

"But that's how the ball started rolling. And without me seeing that need, I don't think I'd have done the next stage which was to sell my house and put everything on the line. The next six months are pivotal. It costs a lot of money to make an App."

John only started the 'Spotted: App' two months ago and the feedback has been positive.

"I have been approached by Dragons' Den but I probably won't take them up on the offer," he added.

"The App's been very reliant on me, and I've been slogging it out which you have to do,

"I spoke to the App's developers and I told them I thought it was going all going ok, but I know I can't do any more. What's their opinions?

"Then I got a message back saying they had done 300 Apps before for people like Purple Bricks and they said this is growing faster than anything they've made before. Now we have over 1,900 customers already and it grows by the day.

"It only costs 99p to advertise your company, so I'm in it for the long game. As long as I pay the bills that's all that matters.

"But it's growing really well. I think it's starting to turn where people are starting to take notice. You can find any service that you need in an instant and you can be messaging that business in the same time it takes to write a post elsewhere.

"If you want a dog groomer, you can ask for that and it'll instantly tell you who provides that service in your area. And it's starting to go national now.

"In time, I'll give a basic option and a premium option, but I'll draw a line in the sand and that won't apply to businesses that have already signed up as a thank you. There'll always be a spot for the ironing lady."

• If you are interested in looking on the business directory then go to www.spottedapp.com or phone 07855216437