AN “inspirational” teen who left school with poor exam results has been named a charity youth ambassador.

Phil Thexton has been chosen by the Prince’s Trust to help launch a new initiative to tackle negative images of young people.

The Young Ambassadors scheme will highligh the positive contributions they make to communities.

It will also encourage young people to seek help from organisations like The Prince’s Trust.

Phil, 18, who has spent the last two years working on a Get Started with Football programme with Blackburn Rovers, said: “I want to help get people back on track.”

He will now speak to the local community, take part in debates and meet with MPs to inspire other young people.

Phil, of Derby Crescent, Blackburn, said: “I have gained a lot by being involved with the Prince’s Trust and I hope to continue that work as a young ambassador.

“I didn’t do very well at school but I want to encourage young people who were in a similar position to me two years ago that you can have a positive impact.”

He said that if he hadn’t got involved with the Trust his life would have turned out differently.

Phil, who also works with Lammack Juniors and Blackburn Eagles, added: “Life is like a rollercoaster and sometimes you fall off, I want to help young people get back on.”

Jackie Tyler, North West regional director of The Prince’s Trust, said: “If we keep telling young people they are layabouts, losers and junkies, there is a real danger that they will believe they can’t do anything different.”