71670-8A FLORIST whose blossoming career has included flower arranging for VIPs and tending plants on the QE2 has celebrated 40 years in the industry.

To celebrate yesterday's anniversary, Kate Hurst, who owns George Lesley Flowers in Gorse Hill, received her own bunch of blooms and a bottle of champagne.

The 55-year-old said since stumbling into the career by accident she has never wanted to do anything else.

She worked for several florists in Swindon and her passion for plants has also seen her riding the ocean waves, arranging flowers on the QE2.

"I never knew floristry existed," she said.

"I wanted to look after children and travel the world.

"I had just missed a course at nanny college so started doing this job.

"It's just in my blood now and floristry took me travelling around the world in the end.

"I had the best time of my life on the QE2. When you are at sea it's like you're in your own little town.

"But it's true when they say your friends at sea will never be your friends on the shore. I saw parts of the world like New York and beautiful islands around the Mediterranean. "

Ms Hurst started her career at the Days of Regent Street Flower Shop, Regent Street, Swindon.

After a three-year apprent-iceship she worked at Gregory's on the corner of Newport Street and Devizes Road before working at George Davis and Son in Wood Street.

Following her stint on the QE2 between 1975 and 1981, Ms Hurst opened her own shop, Cavendish Florist in Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill.

In 1986, she then moved to her current shop along the same road.

"I think I'm one of the lucky ones," said Ms Hurst. "I enjoy work every day because there is always a new challenge.

"Flowers smile back at you and they never ask anything of you."

Ms Hurst, who lives near Aldbourne, has also taught floristry at Wiltshire College Lackham and Swindon College, and is looking into opening a school of floristry in the town.

Ben Payne