A former fitter who is dying from asbestos-related cancer has criticised his local NHS trust for refusing to fund a drug which could improve his quality of life.

Bernard Hoyland, 63, from Marske, east Cleveland, developed problems with his chest in December 2004. Three months later doctors told the father of two he had the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

The disease is so advanced that Mr Hoyland was told that there is no cure.

But a cancer specialist mentioned that a new drug called Alimta was now available, which appeared to be better than previously alternatives.

Despite Alimta being funded in Scotland and in some other parts of England, Mr Hoyland's local primary care trust - Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust - has refused to pay for Mr Hoyland to be treated with Alimta.

Yesterday Mr Howland said: "Many companies and successive governments knew about the dangers of asbestos for many years but continued to use it, taking shortcuts and saving money. Finally a drug is available that can better treat the deadly cancer caused by asbestos exposure but again, to save money, those who need it simply can't get it. It's cruel."

Ian McFall from Thompsons Solicitors' specialist asbestos team who represent Mr Hoyland said: "Further cases of the cancer postcode lottery are emerging, where patients such as Mr Hoyland who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and told that they could benefit from Alimta, are being forced to decide whether to pay privately for treatment which can cost in the region of £24,000."

New cases of mesothelioma are increasing rapidly in the UK. It is estimated that over 1,700 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma annually in the UK alone. This figure is likely to rise each year and peak at 2,500 patients in 2015. In Mr Hoyland's case he was exposed to asbestos when he worked as a fitter with ICI and William Press between 1958 and 1980.

A spokesman for Laungbaurgh PCT said whilst it had "great sympathy" for Mr Hoyland and his family it was important that decisions about the funding of cancer drugs was taken collectively within the region's Cancer Care Alliance network.

Alimta has not yet been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), however, he revealed that it is currently being considered for funding by the CCA network.