A REMOVAL firm manager has given away £1,500 worth of furniture to help the needy because he is haunted by the horror of his six months on the streets as a teenager.

Despite going from living in a cardboard box to a four bedroomed detached house in Darwen, Sam Stone, 38, can't forget the period he lived rough as a 19 year-old.

And he is using his own company, Movers, of Whitehall Mill, Whitehall Street, Darwen, to help.

Movers carries out removal jobs on sub-contracts for stores as well as with domestic houses. Sometimes when they deliver a settee or a bed, the homeowner gives them their old furniture.

From this Mr Stone had amassed 15 suites, four double beds, six single beds and several wardrobes.

Normally this would be sold on but, with his old problems fresh in his mind, he decided to give them all to the Blackburn with Darwen Churches' Association to distribute to people who were homeless but have managed to get a place as they get back on their feet.

He thinks it is hard enough to get a place to live after being on the streets, without having to furnish it as well.

Mr Stone left the Marines at 19 and blew his severance pay on alcohol and nights out. It got so bad that he was without a home for six months, living on Darwen's streets.

A friend then put him up and helped him sort his life out. He got a job and a council house, and adopted a dedicated work-ethic to avoid ever returning to the streets. Mr Stone built up his removal business from a van, working 12 hour days. Now he wants to let others know that if they work hard, they can rebuild their life.

"It wasn't easy getting back on my feet," he said. "The hardest thing was working all the hours God sent to get contracts for removals." I still work all the hours God sends - usually about 12 hours a day.

"There was a lot of competition so I didn't just find a niche.

Hw added: "I know what a struggle it is to be homeless.

"I came out of the Marines and just went silly, I ended up with nothing after spending all my severance pay. When I was homeless I woke up and smelt the coffee and took stock. I began to cool down. I was a hooligan when I was growing up and was always getting into trouble.

"It was horrendous but hard work got me out of it. I got a job in a factory put me up and I managed to save £300.

"I was then given a council house but this had no furniture, so again, I know how good it is when you are given some. As soon as we get enough stock in at the mill we will do it again."