Little Belters fail to win over Dragons

THERE was disappointment for opera singing sisters Claire and Tina O’Brien and their Manchester-based children’s choir Little Belters after they failed to win investment from the star entrepreneurs on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den last night.

Youngsters sang their little hearts out in front of the dragons before the O’Brien duo – brought up in Wythenshawe – pitched for £45,000 of investment in return for a 15% stake in their business.

They were aiming to grow their Little Belters organisation from its current seven groups to 100 nationwide.

Despite giving the panel of Peter Jones Deborah Meaden, Nick Jenkins, Sarah Willingham and Touker Suleyman and impromptu singing lesson, they fell down after being quizzed on the financial projection for their business.

The duo teach five to 11-year-olds to sing in a group setting, ranging from rock anthems and chart hits to classical and folk.

They launched Little Belters in Altrincham in 2011 and now have around 150 members, running classes in Cheadle Hulme, Didsbury, Sale and Chorlton.