A teenager who made legal history with a minimum wage victory today said he hoped his success would encourage other underpaid workers to take action against their bosses.

Eighteen-year-old Hayden Aldred earned just £1.50 an hour when he worked at Bognor-based Michael Francis Sports as a sales assistant - half the minimum wage for an employee of his age.

He took his case to an industrial tribunal, but shop owner Michael Francis agreed to give him £255 in back pay before the hearing in Brighton started.

The case was brought on Hayden's behalf by the Inland Revenue.

Under the National Minimum Wage Act, which came into force in April, officials have the power to start proceedings against companies on behalf of employees who earn below the minimum wage.

Speaking from his home in Bayford Road, Littlehampton, Hayden said he was delighted at his victory.

He said: "It wasn't about the money, it was a matter of trying to prove that what was happening was wrong and something needed to be done about it.

"I hope my victory will now make other people, who may be suffering what I was going through, do the same thing themselves. It proves the system really can work."

Hayden, who worked at the sports shop between September 1998 and May this year, became aware he was getting below the minimum wage when he was sent an explanatory booklet by the Inland Revenue when the new act came into force.

He said: "I spoke to the owner but he refused to give me the money I was owed. It was at that point I decided to call the helpline number in the booklet and things just went from there. The officials I spoke to

were absolutely brilliant and very supportive. All I had to do was fill out a report and answer some questions. I didn't have to pay anything."

Hayden said he had found it very difficult to contribute towards rent and running costs at his mother Stella's house, where he lives.

He said: "When I took on the job I knew it

wasn't paying brilliantly but I was just pleased to have a job, but after a while I realised things were difficult.

"I wanted to do my bit but I found it very hard to survive on what I was earning and it was very difficult to contribute to the house, go out with friends or buy things for myself.

"After I was refused the back pay and a pay rise I decided to leave and find another job.

"In the meantime the Inland Revenue were still continuing with my case. It wasn't that it was a bad job to be in, I couldn't afford to stay there."

Hayden now works at Greenwood Air Vacuums in Bognor and says he is more than happy with his new wages, which are more than double the minimum wage.

Mr Francis was unavailable for

comment .

The Inland Revenue said that Hayden's victory served as a warning to other companies who might be underpaying their staff. Officers have dealt with nearly 3,000 complaints from workers across the country since the Act came into force.

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