WARM tributes have been paid to a ‘man who would do anything for anyone’ after he lost his battle with cancer last week.

Alan Lodge, 80, from Cudworth, was well known across the borough for his lifelong love of music.

He shot to stardom in the swinging sixties with his band ‘Alan Knight and the Chessmen’.

The band were on the rise during the sixties, even performing at the famous ‘2i’s Coffee Bar’ in London described as the ‘Home of the Stars’ where Cliff Richard and Tommy Steele were discovered.

Alan had previously been diagnosed with cancer but managed to beat the disease only for it to return in July last year, just two weeks after his wife, Jackie, had beaten the cruel illness.

But that didn’t stop him singing and he released his first album last year in September - much to the delight of his children Toni and Dean.

He managed to find his smile again following the release, but sadly died on February 3.

Toni told the Chronicle: “My dad was very family orientated.

“He would do anything for his family.

“He helped anyone and was very kind.

“He loved horse racing and played darts for West End.

“Singing was such a big part of his life and he always played practical jokes on people.”

Alan’s funeral will be held on March 5 at Ardsley Crematorium at 12.50pm.

No flowers at his request and any donations will go to Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK.