A cancer patient given just three months to live had his tumour shrunk by more than 90% following pioneering drug treatment.

Chris Varley was diagnosed with kidney cancer in January 2008 and told his chances of survival were slim.

His doctor immediately recommended him for a trial of the cancer drug Sunitinib, which was not available on the NHS at the time.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has since issued a draft recommendation saying it can be used in certain cases.

Mr Varley has spent the last 12 months taking regular doses of the drug and having blood tests and scans carried out at St Luke's Hospital in Guildford, where the trial is being run.

He said: “The results have been tremendous. The tumour has got smaller and smaller and at my last scan they told me it had reduced by 92%.

“They cannot guarantee a cure but the results are looking extremely good so far.

“I feel very well at the moment,. When I was first diagnosed I was so tired all the time but now I can get out and about and make the most of my life.

“I really didn't have a choice. It was either not go with the drug and have between three and six months to live or give the drug a chance.

“Who knows what might have happened otherwise?

“Luckily it seems to be working very well so far.”

Mr Varley, 63, of High Oak, Southgate, Crawley, first fell ill in the summer of 2006 when he retired from his job in West Sussex County Council's education department.

He started training for a charity bike ride but found himself feeling tired and ill.

A tumour was found on his right kidney and was removed but months later medics found it had spread and Mr Varley was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.

This type of cancer does not respond to chemotherapy so the only option was the drug trial.

Mr Varley is now training to take part in this year's London to Brighton bike ride and being supported by his two children and wife Julia, 53, a primary school teacher.

He said: “It is my way of proving to myself that I am still here and still doing well. I have a lot to be thankful for.”