A long-time friend of a London bus driver and father-of-six who died of cancer has paid tribute to "the nicest guy you could ever meet."

Danny Doyle died at the age of 52 last Friday in a Dartford hospice, after finding out he had lung cancer just 10 weeks before. According to his friends, he was in good health, which added to the shock.

After his death, Jasmine Lloyd, who has been friends with Danny's wife Sharon since birth, decided she needed to help in some way and set up a JustGiving page for the family.

The fundraiser, which was set up the day before Danny died, said the last-minute diagnosis meant the family "haven't had time to plan for the worst."

It adds Sharon will have to deal with losing the father of her children, four-year-old Stanley and two-year-old Archie, but will also have to cope with "financial problems looming."

His son Stanley turns five this Wednesday (October 10).

Speaking to News Shopper, Jasmine said Danny was "the life and soul of the party."

Since his death on Friday, she said everyone has been "running around and doing everything they can" for the family and the funeral arrangements.

But Jasmine added: "There will come a time when Sharon and the boys are going to need a weekend away or a holiday or something.

"She's only 40 years old and she has a five-year-old and a two-year-old. They have a lot of dark times ahead."

According to Jasmine, Danny's diagnosis and deterioration was a huge shock for the family.

"He had a tiny lump on his lungs. When he had a scan they realised it had spread to his bones.

"It was very sudden. He didn't even get the chance to have chemo because he was too weak."

Danny, who also had four other children - Danny, Charlie, Chloe and Bradley - moved into a hospice before he died on Friday.

Since his JustGiving page was set up, family and friends have donated £570 to Sharon and the boys to support them while they grieve.

"He was always the first one dancing at the party," Jasmine said.

"He was just the nicest guy you could ever meet."