A teenager who dealt with family tragedy and turned to drink and drugs has been honoured by the Prince’s Trust for turning his life around.

Nathan Tams, 19, who lives part-time at the Lambourne End centre for outdoor learning in Manor Road, has been kicked out of foster homes and schools, and ran away with the circus for a year.

The death of one of his brothers, not soon after he was born, left Nathan's family life in tatter, he said.

At the age of five, Nathan, his four brothers and three sisters were split up, after his parents could no longer look after them, and were moved seperately into care.

Struggling to cope with this transition, by his teens Nathan had turned to drink and drugs.

Nathan’s relationship with his foster families often reached 'breaking point' when he started getting into fights and missing classes at school, he said.

Eventually, Nathan was asked to leave school after getting caught smoking cannabis.

“It is hard leaving school without any GCSE’s. I was at the stage already where I was figuring out what to do with my life”, the 19-year-old said.

In what he described as a "very quick decision", he joined a travelling circus, travelling up and down the country for a year.

“It was fun to be honest, but ultimately good to get away from," he said.

"Even though it is probably every little kid’s dream, I think it is difficult to maintain a career in the circus.”

On his return, a concerned former lecturer contacted The Prince’s Trust and Nathan joined the team programme.

His described his assigned mentor, Tim, as the "male role model he had wanted all his life".

Nathan added: “I always had a problem with male authority.

"I was never close to my foster dads and was always getting kicked out of male teacher’s lessons - I don’t know why.”

“But Tim just gave me a chance, even if I was acting up, he didn’t get angry, he got me focused on working. He got me turned around.”

Nathan was eventually recommended the course at Lambourne End centre and impressed staff after benefiting from the structure it provided him.

Today, he is tee-total, raising money for charity and working with children at the adventure centre.

He was given the award by the Prince's Trust at a ceremony on November 12.

Nathan said: “Right now I am happy here. I am determined to progress and move on.“