A mother who overcame a difficult childhood and combined her parenting skills and her hobby into a career has won a national award.

Dai Alford, of Park Lane, Winchmore Hill, was abandoned by her mother when she was a child and had been looked after by 22 foster carers by the time she was 20.

But she turned her passion for yoga and love of children into a successful career and has been named the most inspiring business parent of the year by job search group Mum and Working.

“It was very tough as a child but I don’t blame my mother at all. I was a bit bonkers growing up and everything was a whirlwind.” Ms Alford said.

But after growing up and finding a job, the yoga fanatic felt she wanted more out of her work.

She said: “I was talking to my friend about doing something different with my life. She asked me what I was good at and I said ‘I’m good with children and I can do yoga’ and my friend told me to look up children’s yoga.

“At the time I thought that’s a bit of an odd combo but when I looked online there were loads of companies running classes.”

Ms Alford now owns the Tatty Bumpkin franchise for North London, based in Winchmore Hill, and took over teaching children yoga in 2010.

She admits she was surprised to hear she had been nominated for the business parent of the year award, and amazed when she won.

Ms Alford said: “I could not believe I had been nominated and then made it to the final six. All the other stories were compelling and I thought they had all been through a lot harder time than me.”

“But when they read out my name, I was in complete shock. I am so proud for the company and the hard work I have put in, it was a great day.”

Ms Alford was presented with her award by Holly Willoughby, who won the award for celebrity parent of the year.