MUCH-LOVED charity campaigner "Stan the Man" has died after suffering a heart attack.

Keen churchgoer Stanley Smith collapsed while dancing at a Valentine's party at St Stephen's & All Martyrs Church in Lever Bridge last Friday.

Mr Smith, aged 74, of Great Lever, was rushed to the Royal Bolton Hospital, where he died.

He was tended at the church by a relative - one of the paramedics called out. He was later cared for by his eldest daughter, a staff nurse, who was on duty at the Royal Bolton casualty department.

Friends and relatives have paid tribute to Mr Smith, who spent 12 years raising funds for charities, good causes and disadvantaged people.

In 2004, Mr Smith launched a campaign to stop SS Peter and Paul RC Church being demolished, hanging a "Save Our Church" banner from the tower of the church in Pilkington Street, Bolton.

Father John McNamara, priest at SS Peter and Paul, said: "Stan's death came as a shock to us all. He was a very valuable person to the church and will be sadly missed."

Mr Smith's eldest daughter, Debra Bukowsky, aged 49, of Green Lane, Great Lever, was on duty as a staff nurse in casualty when her father was brought in.

The mother-of-two said: "My cousin was a paramedic at the scene while I was staff nurse at Bolton A&E. When I received the call that they were bringing my dad in, it was so surreal.

"It was nice knowing that he was surrounded by his family and friends, who could care for him throughout."

The father-of-three, a former asphalt worker, leaves wife Joan, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Mr Smith's youngest daughter, Michala Smith, aged 31, of Green Lane, Great Lever, said: "He was always thinking about who he could help next. We are just so proud of him."

The Bolton Wanderers fan was also a talented poet, who sold his works to raise money for medical and educational aid in third world countries.

His charity work began 12 years ago when he had his first heart attack.

Miss Smith said: "This scared my dad into realising what he had in his life. He called it a minor blip', but from then on he stopped smoking his pipe, started walking more and attended a cardiac rehab gym."

Mr Smith's funeral is on Monday. A mass will be held at SS Peter and Paul's RC Church in Pilkington Street at 9.15am. Interment will follow at Heaton Cemetery at 10.15am.