BUSINESS blossoms for Gina Moffat (centre) as she accepts an award from TV host Lorraine Kelly and Steve Cooper, managing director of Barclays Business.

Gina started her own florists Blooming Scent from behind bars at Holloway Prison, in Parkhurst Road, Holloway, and the business is now flourishing at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham, where Gina also opened a small cafe last year to combine floristry and event catering.

She was honoured at the 2010 Barclays Trading Places Awards at The Savoy Hotel in London last month, which recognises people who have beaten the odds to succeed in business.

Mr Cooper, chair of the judging panel, said: “The judges unanimously agreed that Blooming Scent shone out as an outstanding business that has thrived despite what seemed like impossible odds.”