A man given 12 months to live is at the centre of Oxfordshire's latest health postcode lottery' case after being denied drugs which could prolong his life.

Kidney cancer sufferer Stephen Dallison, of Iffley Road, East Oxford, has been told that more clinical evidence is needed to support his case, before he can receive Sunitinib, which costs £2,500 a month.

The 33-year-old said: "I've been given approximately a year to live and this drug has been shown to extend life.

"It's not a cure, but it can prolong your life by months, even years, and you can have a much better quality of life while using it."

Campaign group Kidney Cancer UK has dubbed the problem a postcode lottery' with patients offered easier access to the drug in places such as Birmingham, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

Mr Dallison was diagnosed with kidney cancer in July and had the diseased tissue surgically removed. But his illness has now spread to his lymph glands.

Doctors at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington, want to give him Sunitinib, which is seen as a wonder drug, because it prevents the cancer spreading.

It also stops blood vessels growing into the existing tumour, cutting off its blood supply.

Research shows the disease is stabilised in a third of patients using the medication and Kidney Cancer UK suggested it can extend life by more than three years.

Sunitinib was highlighted by music mogul and kidney cancer victim Tony Wilson, who successfully fought for it to be given to patients in Manchester, just before his own death.

Although it is licensed for use in the UK, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence - which decrees what treatments should be used by the NHS - is not expected to make a decision until 2009.

Mr Dallison, who works at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, in Harwell, said: "It seems to be a real postcode lottery, depending on where you live, because people in other areas have been allowed to have it. I couldn't afford to go private, and even if I did for a bit, to prove it worked, I've been told I wouldn't be able to go back to the NHS afterwards.

"It's available as standard care in Europe and North America.

"It's very frustrating and makes me very angry."

Dr Tia MacGregor, Mr Dallison's GP at East Oxford Health Centre, is supporting his fight.

She said: "I very strongly believe he should be given treatment that may prolong his life. He's still young and this is a treatment that evidence shows works. I take issue with the fact this is prescribed in other areas and not here."

An Oxfordshire PCT spokesman said it did not routinely fund Sunitinib, but its treatment request panel assessed individual cases. She added: "Funding has been declined for this patient at this stage in the absence of all the necessary clinical information.

"However, the PCT has actively sought further information from the treating clinician, in order to be able to reconsider this decision. The PCT has not received a request for appeal on this decision."

Pat Hamlon, of Kidney Cancer UK, said: "We would like to see PCTs pay attention to the mounting evidence, especially from the US, that this drug does work."