HE was born in Lemington Spa, grew up in Canada, struck oil in Madagascar and has luxury homes in France, Cameroon and the Seychelles. But self-made millionaire Sam Malin is happy to call south Essex his home.

The 45-year-old oil tycoon has spent years travelling the globe, but nothing has captured his fascination more than finding out about the history of his home in Thurrock.

Sam, who made his fortune when his company became the first to successfully pump oil on the island of Madagascar, has spent the past two years transforming a run down former home for wayward boys into a luxury family pad for himself, his two daughters and his “Bond girl” wife.

The businessman spent £600,000 buying the property, in Grays, and the same sum again turning it into a luxurious home featuring an indoor pool, state-of-the-art entertainment centre and even a “running waterfall”.

But it’s the history of the property, which was once Ardale Community School for Boys, that has intrigued him.

The school opened in the 1935 when it was taken over by London City Council.

Before that, it had been a home for orphans, run by the Stepney Guardians since 1903.

The school took in youngsters aged between 16 and 19 years old, with pupils staying for anything up to three years.

The boys, many of them orphans, were giving a good schooling and the chance to learn a trade.

When the time came for them to leave, Ardale teachers would make sure the pupils had a good job to go to and would keep close contact with students to ensure they stayed on the straight and narrow.

Sam, whose wife Irene is a successful model, and even had a small part in the James Bond film Die Another Day, said: “Part of the reason I bought the home was that it had such an interesting history.

“When we first moved in, we discovered a reel of original news footage from when Ardale first opened in the 1930s.

“The footage was so interesting to watch. It was shot by British Paramount News and discusses the difficulties facing the youth of society at the time.

“Ardale was hailed for combating the problem and for being unique among schools of its kind.

“It was just amazing to find the footage and to see images of what the house actually looked like inside.

“It struck me as being quite airy and welcoming in a way, not quite what I has expected. However, some of the rooms, particularly the baths, did look a bit cold.

“Surprisingly, the home wasn’t a listed building. So when we started doing it up we weren’t restrained by any building regulations.

“However, we wanted to keep some of the original features. So, for example, when we had to remove an old fire place from one room, we put it somewhere else in the house, so that it wasn’t lost for good.”

Sam, the son of a probation officer, has become a hugely successful figure in the oil industry. In 2004 he founded Madagascar Oil and is now the chairman and chief executive officer of the Avana Group, an investments company.

Not surprisingly, his job takes him around the globe, so he feels it is important for him to have a base where he, Irene and their family can relax and call home.

He said: “I enjoy living in Thurrock because it is so accessible. It’s easy to get into London and City Airport is just down the road.

“Sometimes we pop over the road to the Dog and Partridge pub for a drink. It’s a very friendly local.”