Hi 146 !
You sound as if you are in the same position as myself at your age, twelve years ago !
I used to live on the final approach for EGCC and thats how I got interested - I joined the Air Cadets in Cheadle and got plenty of flying, including AEF flights in the Chipmunk, (they use Tutors now) at Woodvale and elsewhere. I also did my Basic Gliding wings at Ternhill on the Vigilant. Also flights in Nimrod, Herc, Chinook etc etc... I also went on loads of camps at RAF stations in the UK and Laarbuch in Germany. Loads of fun - well worth joining !
Got my PPL through working at weekends at a flying school, refuelling aircraft, meeting trial lessons etc etc - one flying lesson a week is worth about £95, far more than you would get paid if you took the cash !
Did my work experience at an airfield and stayed on and got my FISO licence.
My best advise would be to just expose yourself to as much aviation as possible - either by helping out at your local airfield or by joining Air Cadets!