Dragons’ Den winner and Reggae Reggae Sauce entrepreneur Levi Roots has teamed up with Barclays Local Business to hunt for the Midland’s leading family businesses.

Levi will lead a panel of experts from the bank in deciding who will win the title of the region’s most dynamic and enterprising group of relatives.

Barclays is offering a grand total of £17,500 in prize money for those families that are bound together in business. The winner from the Midlands will then go on to compete against eight other regional winners for the chance at scooping the national prize.

As well as the recognition of their achievements, the overall winner will also enjoy the support and strategic advice of a Barclays “business angel” free for one year.

Any family in business can enter the competition by answering a brief set of questions at www.barclays.co.uk/familyaffair with the closing date for entries March 31.

Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauce business empire is a classic example of a successful family enterprise. Levi was persuaded to enter Dragon’s Den by his mum and his brother, sister, and seven children have all played a key role in his business success.

He said: “Nobody knows better than me the importance of family when it comes to every aspect of creating and sustaining a successful business. With my grandmothers’ special recipe and the help of my children, I’ve been able to create a thriving international company.

“Now I’m looking to find the UK’s most exciting and enterprising family-run businesses in order to help them along the way. With the help of Barclays Local Business, we are going to inject a bit more spice into the prospects of these fantastic enterprises in 2009.”

John Davis, marketing director for Barclays Local Business, said: “Family businesses are the backbone of Britain’s economy, and it’s important for us to recognise and support their ongoing efforts. “Levi’s family have played a crucial role in the success of his business, so we’re delighted that he has joined Barclays Local Business to help find the Midlands’ most enterprising family.

“I encourage every family firm in the region to enter. This is your chance to show off the hard work and success that lies behind every good business.”

There are just under three million family firms in the UK Estimates of their contribution to UK GDP vary, but around a third of the UK’s wealth is produced by family firms and they have a combined turnover of billions.