When driver Malcolm Farley died, his best friends at Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company decided his name should live on.

And they could think of no better way than to name a bus after the colleague they lost to cancer.

So Dave Taylor, Guenter Kuhn and John Rushton clubbed together and bid £160 at their firm's annual dinner and awards evening to have the 51-year-old's name displayed on the front of a new city double decker.

Their money not only honoured their pal's memory, but also helped the Argus Appeal which helps good causes across Sussex.

The number 5 bus was unveiled yesterday along with two others sporting employees' names. From April 1, it will travel Mr Farley's old route, from Conway Street garage in Hove, which he drove most often during his 22 years with the company.

The three friends, who have been at the company for almost 29 years between them, had come to know Mr Farley well.

Mr Taylor said: "Malcolm was a character and a well-liked member of staff. We got on very well and taught each other about the job. He deserved this because he was a nice man.

"Malcolm would have been laughing his socks off if he could have seen his name at the front of the bus. He'd have been pleased to see it on a new bus after driving all the old buses for years.

"He wasn't just a bus driver, he also served the community because that's what us bus drivers do.

"His widow, Stephanie, thinks that this is a really nice gesture on our part."

This is the first time employees' names have been shown on the front of buses, a space usually reserved for the rich and famous.

The company decided to allow two more buses to be named on the night to raise extra money for the Argus Appeal.

Frank Butterworth, from St Georges Road, Kemp Town, has only worked for Brighton and Hove Bus Company for two years, but could not resist the thought of his name confusing future bus spotters.

He said: "I just wanted to join in the fun of the night and my wife, Linda, egged me on a bit.

"You never know, if my name goes on the front of a bus again when I'm gone, it will have been on there twice - that will really confuse all the bus spotters around here."

His name will be displayed on the front of one of the new blue double deckers which will be regularly used on service 49 from Moulsecoomb to Portslade.

Mr Butterworth will be driving the bus regularly, proud to be seen with his own version of a personalised number plate.

The third employee to have his name displayed below the destination, is Ian Caldwell, winner of the firm's Personality of the Year award.

It was paid for by garage staff manager, Peter Salvage.

Mr Caldwell said: "I'm deeply touched. It's come from colleagues and friends and it means quite a lot to me."

Although he won't be driving the number 49 bus, he intends to travel on his namesake as often as he can.

Mr Salvage, who paid £100 for the honour, said: "It was a gesture to show our appreciation and to raise money for a very good cause."

Bus company managing director Roger French, who is a trustee of the appeal, said: "Thanks to the generosity of staff attending the dinner, we raised £1,700 for the Argus Appeal.

"The most sought-after item in our auction was having your name on the front of a bus during April.

"We arranged to have not one, but three bus names displayed so that we could raise even more money for the Argus Appeal."