Cancer sufferers have spoken of their joy and relief that a potentially life-extending drug is now available on Teesside.
 One patient, Colin Graves, who campaigned for the drug Alimta to be prescribed locally, said the U-turn made by the North-east NHS trusts is "his best Christmas present ever". He is among the Teesside patients with the lung disease mesothelioma who were previously denied the drug, despite the fact it was available elsewhere. Alimta cannot cure lung cancer but is believed to add weeks or even months to the life of suitable patients. Two sufferers, Bernard Hoyland, from Marske, and Jeff Hurrell, from Norton, have already received treatment sessions in London after thwarted attempts to have it prescribed locally. They were contacted by Dr Jeremy Steel, of St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, after he heard of their situations and agreed to help. Mr Hoyland said he will continue to use the same consultant but is delighted for other patients across the North-east. "It takes five hours to get there and five hours travelling back so it is tiring. But I think it's best for me to stick with the same doctor now," he said. "But it's obviously fantastic news for other sufferers in the area that the drug is now available." Mr Hurrell is travelling to London today for more treatment and plans to discuss the new options with his consultant. He added: "It's great news for lots of people across the North-east and I am over the moon for all of them." The turnaround was made by NHS trust chiefs across the North-east in a meeting last Friday. In a statement, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority, which oversees the region's NHS Trusts, confirmed patients could receive the £24,000-a-time treatment for free. A spokeswoman said provision of the drug to suitable patients will be treated as "a matter of urgency" over the next few weeks. Marske Workingmen's Club secretary Colin Graves was surprised by the decision. "The last I heard from Langbaurgh PCT was that it wasn't on the agenda and they couldn't do anything," he said. Mr Graves, 65, developed cancer after exposure to asbestos in the 1960s. "I caught this disease in this area and I don't think I should have to leave this area to get treatment," he said. The decision has left Mr Graves, a grandad-of-five, and his family "absolutely elated". He was due to have his first consultation at the James Cook University Hospital today to find out if he is suitable to receive the drug. | 
