CHARLIE Taylor has quite literally turned his life around - and became a national example in the process.

Three years ago, he was one of New Milton's menaces. Petty thieving, excessive drinking, criminal damage and assaults landed him with an Asbo at the age of 16.

But after a lot of hard work, Charlie has transformed his life and has become one of the first people in the country to have his antisocial behaviour order lifted for good behaviour.

He is also one of a team of young people making up New Milton's Asbo Committee which has spearheaded a project to create a "youth café", soon to be opened in part of the bowling club pavilion in the town's recreation ground.

For that, he and the other members of the committee were awarded New Milton Town Partnership's Young Citizen of the Year Award in September.

The 19-year-old is now a role model for teenagers.

Now a first-year criminology student at Plymouth University, he had a five-year Asbo slapped on him in December 2004.

He had a 9pm curfew on Fridays and Saturdays and was banned from key areas of New Milton, including the recreation ground, and from buying alcohol once he turned 18.

But he and his friend Liam Tosdivine, who was also given an Asbo at the same time, decided to turn things around and they started work on a plan for the youth café.

Charlie said: "Having the Asbo was bad, I couldn't do much. It was a bit of a shock. But it made me think about my behaviour and made me change.

"Liam and I thought about what could have helped us and thought there is nothing to do. We got into trouble through boredom more than anything else. The cafe will be somewhere for teenagers to go."

Following an application by New Forest District Council, who have witnessed all the good work Charlie has done, his Asbo was lifted at New Forest Magistrates' Court.

He added: "I'm really relieved that all my hard work has come through. It's been a long time and I've missed out on a lot."

Brian Byrne, from New Milton police's safer streets team, said: "Charlie is now a positive role model and he's making my life easier."