A TEENAGER from Alton has become the youngest person in Hampshire to scoop a prestigious Good Neighbour Award this year. Peter Goodall, 17, won the accolade from Hampshire County Council for the friendship and help he has offered to pensioner Michael Harding over the last two years. It was a chance meeting in the street, close to Mr Harding's home in Eastbrooke Road, that brought the two together - and led Peter to turn his back on groups of youths, who he saw drinking, smoking and causing trouble. Peter, of Chauntsingers Road, said: "I used to hang around with a lot of groups and I saw people getting criminal records. They were going out smoking, drinking and fighting and I didn't want to be like them. "I wanted to do something that I could be proud of and I think that was what made me change my mind. "I was a caretaker down at the community centre then and I started helping the older people down there at the day centre, chatting to them and other things." The former Amery Hill pupil now visits Mr Harding and his bedridden sister, Doris, twice a day to check they are both ok, and helps out by collecting prescriptions, carrying shopping, putting the rubbish out and anything else that needs doing. Mr Harding, 68, who suffers from a slipped disc, said: "I have known Peter for about two years. I was struggling with four bags of shopping and he was on the other side of the road. He came over and helped me and he has helped me ever since. "He helps me around the house with different things like putting the rubbish out and getting rid of any other rubbish up at the dump. If I want any prescriptions picked up he is happy to go down and get them for me. When I go shopping, he carries the heavy things home for me. "In the summer months, he pushes Doris up and down Crown Hill so she can get some fresh air. "Nothing is too much trouble for him. I'd be lost without him, I really would. My life has changed completely since I met him, it has really taken a lot off of me." So when Mr Harding saw that the county council was inviting nominations for its Good Neighbour competition, he did not hesitate to put Peter's name forward. And the pair were thrilled when they learnt that Peter had been chosen to receive an award. Peter, who works part-time as a cleaner at Alton College, said: "When I found out I was really excited. I couldn't sleep because I was so excited about it. "My mum and dad were really proud of me and my brothers were too." Last Wednesday, the pair attended an awards ceremony at the Great Hall in Winchester, where Peter was presented with a certificate and two glass tumblers, etched with Hampshire's crest, by Felicity Hindson, the councillor responsible for children's services. The awards, currently in their second year, are designed to reward those whose contributions help older people remain independent and live more comfortably and safely. Peter was one of 32 individuals and five groups to scoop an award. David Craigen, also from the Alton area, won an award for the support he has given to Four Marks Care over many years, both as a driver and a committee member. County council leader Ken Thornber, said: "Good deeds too often go unnoticed and this is why it is important that we pay tribute to the efforts of Hampshire's volunteers, especially those who help older residents. I wish to congratulate all of this year's winners for their tremendous efforts. "The Good Neighbour Awards were launched last year to pay tribute to the unsung heroes who help older residents in many different ways so they can maintain their independence. "The response has been encouraging, but I am sure there are still more people who deserve our thanks, many of whom probably don't think twice about what a wonderful job they are doing helping others. "It is often the small things that volunteers undertake, such as helping someone to and from the shops, collecting prescriptions, form filling or keeping the garden tidy that make an enormous difference to the lives of elderly people." The awards were organised in connection with Hampshire Voluntary Care Group Advisory Service, Age Concern, Carers Together, Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) and Club Hampshire.