BY DEFYING convention Helmsley businesswoman Susan Johnson has given women the world over a warm glow.

The general thinking was that thermal knickers were for frumps but she proved nine years ago - with the help of a £5,000 Prince's Trust loan - that thermal underwear could be hot, hot, hot.

Her Bella di Notte mail order Italian lingerie firm topped £2.4 million in sales last year and is projected to sell £3 million this year. It provides jobs for 23 people, a quarter of whom are working mums attracted by flexible working.

So it's hardly surprising that her husband, Chris Morley has nominated her both as Business Personality Of The Year and for the Women In Enterprise Award in The Press Business Awards 2007.

Chris, who is managing director, said: "The word no' doesn't feature in her vocabulary and to that end she never ceases to surprise her colleagues with her tenacious sleeves-rolled-up approach."

Susan found that thermal underwear in the UK tended to be unfeminine and manufactured from man-made fibres.

On a trip to Italy she found elegant vests made from wool and silks with high-quality laces.

That triggered her business idea. What began with a range of three vests has become a collection of 50, plus 25 brief and long john designs, bras and hosiery, plus a 20-range collection of Italian outwear.

Chris said: "In a rapidly-moving market, we have to adapt on the fly and Susan definitely has a canny eye for what's around the corner.

"She tells everyone her motivation comes from the devoted team working at Bella di Notte. Their enthusiasm is fuelled by Susan's passion and everyone is encouraged to put forward their ideas."