Peter Jones has been named as the most admired Dragon in a poll of small business owners by XLN Telecom.

Jones received just over 30% of the vote and was followed by James Caan and Duncan Bannatyne, who each won 20%, while Deborah Meaden was backed by only 7% of respondents.

Over 60% of the entrepreneurs questioned claimed they would feel confident pitching their business to the Dragons on the popular TV show.

"The popularity of shows such as Dragons' Den highlights that Britain is a nation of entrepreneurs, comfortable to take on the risks associated with going it alone in return for the rewards of being your own boss," said Christian Nellemann, founder and CEO of XLN Telecom.