A YOUNG man who grew up in Tenby and who turned his life around with help from The Prince's Trust met the youth charity's founder and president, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales recently.

His Royal Highness officially opened the charity's new Cardiff centre as part of his week-long visit to Wales. During the visit he met staff, volunteers and young people taking part in a variety of initiatives, including the Enterprise programme, which supports disadvantaged young people into entrepreneurship.

His Royal Highness met former Tenby Juniors pupil Liam Burgess, 19, who has beaten unemployment to set up a successful chocolate making business, which uses local produce and supplies stores all across Wales.

Liam set up Whitland based Nomnom Chocolate in 2012 following support from The Prince's Trust Enterprise programme. He produces handmade luxury chocolate bars using only the freshest Welsh ingredients.

As a youngster, Liam didn't get off to the best start. He said: "I never went to college. I did terribly at school and was often expelled. I left without taking any GCSEs."

Despite a hard time at school, Liam knew his passion was in food. On leaving school he went straight to the kitchens of the best local chefs to look for work. By 16 he was running a pub kitchen. But the stress took its toll on Liam and he felt unsupported and unable to cope. Unsure of his future and not knowing where to turn he found himself unemployed and feeling helpless.

Then Liam heard about The Prince's Trust Enterprise programme. He knew he wanted to start a chocolate business, but found the idea of self-employment daunting and did not know where to start.

He approached The Trust and attended a four-day 'Explore Enterprise' course, learning about all aspects of starting and running a business, including business planning, marketing and finance. He also received a low interest loan from the charity to help launch the business.

Liam remains as passionate as ever about his products and is proud to use local ingredients. All Nomnom bars are freshly made and include flavours such as cardamom, fresh mint, Penderyn whiskey, rosemary, honey and amaretto, Welsh 'chilly' and the best selling milk chocolate 'Llaethdy Llaeth' made with local organic dairy products.

Liam said: "The support from The Prince's Trust really has enabled me to follow my passion. They supported me when nobody else would, not only financially, but also with all aspects of running a business. I am looking to the future and hope to continue to expand the company. Meeting the Prince was totally awesome. He was really interested in my chocolate and asked lots of questions. I was so pleased that he tried some and said it was very nice."

During the official opening, His Royal Highness addressed young people, staff, volunteers and supporters of The Prince's Trust.

He said: "I hope some of you here today are beginning to benefit in a small way and I am also incredibly proud of the difference the Trust can make to so many lives."

The Prince's Trust supports more than 3,500 vulnerable young people in Wales every year, giving them the skills and confidence to find a job. Three in four young people on Prince's Trust schemes move into work, education or training.