THE sweet smell of success wafts into the room when Bella Crane arrives - and it's not just the samples of her best-selling scent that surround her.

For this former Parkstone Grammar schoolgirl has already achieved by the age of 27 what many people could only dream about in a lifetime.

After gaining a first-class honours degree in journalism at Bournemouth University, she went on to work as a broadcast journalist and television presenter. (She presented 26 programmes of Channel Four's A Place In The Sun).

But it's her new Bella Bellissima fragrance range - a niche British brand - that looks set to give her the recognition she seeks.

It was launched exclusively at Selfridges in London in April to rave reviews in both the national and regional beauty press.

Her Glacial Mist (a hydrating spray for men who can't be bothered to apply body lotion after a shower) even got a mention in The Sunday Times Style magazine.

"I have always been a bit of a fragrance junkie - it's a real passion of mine," she says.

"I'm always inspired by the mystery of fragrance - how it can transport you to a different place - to the science behind it and the intricacies of blending different ingredients."

The only child of a local couple - her mother was in fashion, her father was a session stylist - Bella travelled the world from a very young age.

"As you travel, different scents from around the world capture your imagination.

"I have a collection of perfumed memories ranging from the spices of Africa to the lavender fields of Provence."

Bella spent two years designing, creating and developing her fragrance collections for women, men and the home, which have just gone on sale at Beales in Bournemouth.

Aside from the exquisite fragrances, it's the attention to detail that really sets her products apart.

Her perfumes are presented in hand-blown glass, monogrammed with pure platinum and packaged in chic, chocolate brown boxes.

You can also buy matching bath oils and body lotions, home perfumes and scented candles.

She points out that the scented candles contain the highest percentage of fragrance and have been created with a 100 per cent natural blend of soy and botanical waxes for a clean, even burn.

It also comes with a set of instructions on how to get the most out of your product and there's even a matching box of monogrammed matches neatly tucked under the wick.

In addition to her Perfect Day, Perfect Night and Perfect Man perfumes there are several other distinct fragrances of which many of the ingredients sound good enough to eat.

There's sweet fig and crushed raspberry leaf, pink pomelo, grapefruit and elemi and also black cardamom, cinnamon and cedarwood.

Bella is clearly a perfectionist, fired by a strong sense of self-belief and very much in control of her own destiny.

She was involved in everything from the design and development of her products to the colour schemes and text of her brochures.

A steely determination gleams in her eyes when she talks that will undoubtedly stand her in good stead in what is a highly competitive market.

"I know what I want to achieve and how I want people to feel when they wear a particular fragrance," she says with a confident smile. "The proof is in the products."

To quote one national newspaper journalist: "Watch out Jo Malone!"

Prices start at around £16 for shower and bath products to around £28 for scented candles and £42 for eau de parfums.