BUSINESS is blooming for a Blackpool woman who turned her childhood hobby into something much more fruitful.

And Mangla Sachdev, 22, is offering to help local charities at the same time as getting her venture off the ground.

Mangla has been making gift baskets for special occasions since she was 13 years old, and now plans to turn her pastime into a money spinner. She said she wanted to help local charities by offering a £10 voucher for one of her baskets for use as a prize in a draw or raffle.

The winner can then take the voucher to Mangla and in return she will create a special gift basket for the occasion of their choice, like the ones on display here with Mangla. Malaysian-born Mangla, who is married to a doctor at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, moved to London at the age of 12. She went to Singapore at 18 due to her husband's job but has lived in Marton for the last three years since he began working at Blackpool Victoria. During this time she has completed a home study degree in marketing, but said it has always been an aim to start her own business.

She said: "I enjoy searching around the world for interesting gifts and silk flowers to fill the baskets -- they make great gifts.

"I was told recently I should market and sell them, but I would really like to donate them first to see the kind of response I get and meet potential customers."

Mangla's idea is only a small part of the bigger picture, though, as she is in the process of setting up a marketing and public relations consultancy with the help of a grant from LAWTEC.

Any charities or groups that are interested in getting a gift basket voucher for use as a prize can contact Mangla on (07720) 718902.