Liam Burke has set up '2nd Chances' after turning away from a life of crime

 A young man who spent his 18th birthday in a cell has turned his life around and set up his own social enterprise.

Growing up in Bromley Liam Burke, 22, left Catford's Sedgehill School in Year 10 and became involved in crime.

After being locked up when he was just 17, he realised it was time to change.

Mr Burke, new father to two-month-old Rory, said: "From the age of about 14 or 15 I was involved in a lot of drug dealing. I went to a young offender institution after I was sentenced to a six month detention order.

"The turning point for me was my 18th birthday, I was sat in a cell as well as on Christmas and New Year and something clicked."

Upon his release, Mr Burke was determined to change his life and has now launched 2nd Chances.

The initiative operates a waste disposal service which then upcycles or recycles items, and properly disposes of all other waste to reduce fly-tipping.

One of five children, Mr Burke explained: "My mum was always on a low income raising us by herself. She brought home a lot of second-hand furniture and we would spruce it up; we would make it our own.

"When I left young offenders' I spent a lot of time at home doing that. That's how the seed was planted."

Aimed at families on low incomes, he wants to help them by working within their budget furnishing their homes with quality furniture.

Chosen as one of 10 finalists for a Frontline London campaign, he received an £8,000 grant and a place on an eight-month programme to get his idea off the ground.

With big plans for the future, he added: "We want to set up community outreach workshops in the community, and provide employment opportunities. It means so much to me to help people who can be steered in the right direction."

Now living in Downham, he said: "It's important for me to do this, as I would have had a negative impact in my area. Now I can have a positive one."