A bus driver has been praised for going "above and beyond" by hopping from his vehicle to help an elderly woman cross the road.

The passenger, who uses a walking aid, had missed her stop in Blean but only realised when the bus was already several miles down the road near Whitstable.

She spoke to the driver before alighting from the bus, slightly unsteady on her feet.

But upon realising the woman was having difficulty crossing the road the driver jumped up and also got off the bus, before helping her across and safely onto a bus on the other side.

A fellow passenger took to Facebook to praise the driver for the "truly kind gesture", which he witnessed at about 5pm on Friday.

"It's so heartening to see such kindness," he wrote.

"It was, in fact, only one of the kind and courteous gestures he showed towards passengers. A lot of the drivers, I feel, are very good people doing a very stressful job. Cheers to him for going above and beyond."

'Kindness matters in the world, especially in these times...'

The man's post has gained hundreds of likes and comments on social media, from those thanking the anonymous Stagecoach worker for his caring actions.

"Absolutely amazing," said one commenter, while another wrote: "I hope the driver gets the recognition he deserves, caring and kindness goes a long way".

KentOnline can now reveal the driver was dad-of-five Ben Daniels, from Margate.

He has worked at Stagecoach's Herne Bay depot for just over three years, and drives buses across the Canterbury district.

The modest 38-year-old says he is pleased, but shocked, by the hugely positive reaction to what he did.

"It was one of those things that you just don't think about when you do it," he said.

"I'm quite surprised with the amount of attention it's received.

"Being kind and customer focused is one of the most important things we can do as bus drivers and it's nice that people have noticed that."

Krystian Kaczala, Stagecoach operations manager for Canterbury and Herne Bay, added: "We're really proud of what Ben did.

"Kindness matters in the world, especially in these times.

"I have drivers like Ben who are putting people first and doing the right thing day in and day out - it's what being proud to serve really looks like and I'm pleased that this amazing example has been recognised."

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