15-5-2008: TRIBUTES are pouring in for a 35-year-old one-off diamond with a heart of gold . Daniel Cockrell died, surrounded by his family, in the early hours of Sunday after an operation proved too much for his heart to bear.

15-5-2008: TRIBUTES are pouring in for a 35-year-old 'one-off diamond with a heart of gold'.

Daniel Cockrell died, surrounded by his family, in the early hours of Sunday after an operation proved too much for his heart to bear.

Former Exmouth Community College pupil Daniel, who lived in Elizabeth Road, was known for his love of cars and racing them.

People have been paying tribute to their 'genuine', 'happy' friend.

His sister, Lucy Dent, said Daniel loved his job driving for DHL - it indulged his zeal for cars. She said: "His passion was cars and planes. Anything with wheels and an engine - and he was quite happy."

Daniel leaves his sister, Lucy, and parents Denise and David.

The family wants to thank DHL for their support and flowers.

Daniel's friends have set up a tribute page on social networking site Facebook, inviting people who knew him to leave messages.

Paul Howell wrote: "If I had to describe Dan in one word, it would have to be genuine. There was nothing to dislike about him. He was always happy, never selfish and always put others before himself."

Co-driver Robert Smith posted: "We, the team, will race on and you will always be our co-driver mate."

Brother-in-law Dominic Dent added: "Even in his last moments, he was happy and joking about being in a racing wheelchair. You will go on in our hearts forever mate."

READERS' TRIBUTES:

To our friend Dan, Danielson (our nickname for Dan) was one of the kindest blokes anyone would have the pleasure to meet. We worked with Dan at DHL. He is missed terribly by his friends from work, there is a gap in our team that will never be filled. Dan was friend to all who knew him. It is tragic that someone so young and with a genuine heart of gold should be taken from us all. We would wonder what car Dan would turn up to work in on the days he didn't have his work van. He had so many Haynes manuals I'm sure he could've started his own shop. His latest one was for the Lancaster Bomber - he was mad about anything mechanical. Dan would've helped anyone he could in anyway he could and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Dan xx

With Love from Claire & Tina