An Oxford scientist who tamed a fierce dragon has revealed their partnership has gone up in smoke.

Dr Ming Yun, 51, from Headington, appeared on the popular BBC2 show Dragons' Den in August, looking for a backer for his unique Glow Cup drinking glasses.

But even though multi-millionaire businessman Peter Jones agreed to give him £40,000, the deal has since come to nothing.

Mr Yun said: "It is very disappointing. My French business partner went to meet Peter Jones's people some weeks ago and while they were willing to back us financially, they weren't able to give us help with marketing our Glow Cups in the UK — and that is what we needed, more than the money.

"Maybe I should have attended the meeting myself, but I was on holiday.

"I was very upset when I heard what had happened — but it seems my deal with a dragon was not meant to be."

In Dragons' Den, entrepreneurs enter the den to entice multi-millionaires Mr Jones, James Caan, Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis to back their business ideas.

But many are sent packing after a rollicking from the fire-breathing dragons.

Dr Yun was seen asking for £40,000 in return for eight per cent of his business, which sells plastic drinking glasses that light up when filled with liquid.

He got the £40,000 he asked for, albeit for a hefty 30 per cent stake in his business.

Dr Yun came to Britain from China 20 years ago. After a year as a visiting scholar at Sheffield University he became a research assistant and student at the University of Oxford's Department of Materials, where he later became a research fellow before going into business.

His range of plastic Champagne flutes, tumblers and shot glasses contain tiny batteries, so that every time you fill them with liquid, they glow one of seven different colours.

When the liquid is taken out, the light goes off.

He said: "The battery lasts around eight hours and they are ideal for parties and promotions.

"One of our major customers is the Champagne maker Moet et Chandon.

"But while our business is doing great in other parts of the world, like China, Spain and Germany, we need help in marketing and retailing our Glow Cups here in Britain — and that is why I went to try my luck with the dragons.

"When Peter Jones's people couldn't help us with that, we couldn't really go any further."

However, Dr Yun said he doesn't feel burned by the experience.

He added: "I enjoyed meeting the dragons and pitching my glasses.

"It was a great day."

A spokesman for Peter Jones declined to comment.

For more details of Glow Cups log on to lightemotions.com