TWO men who found themselves in care have told how they turned their lives around.

Anthony Burton, 27, and Matthew Fricker, 21, said they got into trouble as youngsters after being placed in care.

But with the help of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s leaving care team they got their lives back on track.

Dad-of-one Anthony, from Blackburn, was placed in a children’s home aged just six-months-old and was fostered aged six.

His mum was found to have mental health issues and it was decided that Anthony would be placed in care.

As a teenager he was expelled from Our Lady and St John Catholic Arts College, Blackburn, and was sent to a pupil referral unit.

He left his foster family and was placed in another children’s home until he reached 16.

Anthony, now working as an outreach worker, said: “I got my own flat and there I made a choice. I looked at some people around me and decided I didn’t want to go that way.

“I thought I can either get a criminal record and make nothing of my life or start to work hard and to make something of myself.”

Anthony, who graduated with a 2.2 BA Hons degree from Blackburn College, said: “My aspiration is to become the most successful person I can in life.

“I think some people blame the fact they have had a difficult life. I don’t use that as an excuse to commit crime or not to achieve in life. I have had a hard start in life but everyone has the potential to do something positive.”

Social services became involved with Matthew’s family when his mum was struggling to cope with her six sons.

Matthew, who was the oldest, was aged 10 at the time and was taught in a pupil referral unit.

He said: “I just stayed at home and did nothing. I was smoking drugs all the time.

“I was smoking weed and I had to realise that I had to stop. I was on the verge of mental health problems so I just stopped.”

Matthew was encouraged by the leaving care team to complete short courses until he eventually decided to fulfil he ambitions to become a chef.

He has now completed a level three professional catering apprenticeship.

He said: “I have always liked cooking but felt it was stupid. Then I got some focus. I wanted to do something with my life and wanted the opportunity to make it happen.”

Matthew has now moved to Windermere, Cumbria, to work as a commis chef at the prestigious Langdale Chase Hotel.