Colin, 47, is now able to use the life-prolonging drug Sutent for free after a scan showed his kidney cancer had been reduced by the drug he had previously forked out over £6,000 to use.

Colin, of Gentian Way, Brownsover, was told by Warwickshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) in October that they would make a U-turn and fund the drug if the scan showed his cancer had stopped spreading.

After having the scan last month Colin was told the good news on Monday, ending weeks of nervous waiting.

He said: "I can't really describe how it felt to be told that my kidney cancer had significantly reduced. It took a while to sink in.

"All I could say to my wife Susan afterwards was 'I can't believe it'. At last something positive has happened. This drug that we've fought tooth and nail for is actually working.

"I've been able to start using it straight away. There are side effects - you feel tired and your mouth becomes sore making eating and
drinking much harder.

"But I'm prepared to go through the pain barrier and use this drug to keep me alive."

Colin, along with fellow cancer sufferer Russ Jones, who died last month, was part of the Advertiser's Last Hope campaign to raise funds and awareness about Sutent after both men were initially denied the drug on cost grounds.

Colin added that the campaign, along with Susan and Russ's wife Val storming a PCT meeting, may have had a bearing on their decision to fund the drug.

"I know that the PCT didn't like the publicity so it may have influenced things. I will always be grateful to the people of Rugby who donated to the appeal," he added.

"I just hope the PCT have learned lessons from this so that the next person who wants Sutent doesn't go through the same nerve-racking and long-winded process I have."