AN Alcester man who was refused specialist cancer treatment through the NHS has died.

49 year-old Adrian Ashby died in the early hours of Tuesday, August 6 after losing his battle with cancer.

Mr Ashby, who ran Alcester Carpets and Curtains, was told by doctors in 2006 that he had just three to five years to live, after being diagnosed with Carcinoid Syndrome.

He underwent several treatments which helped improve his quality of life.

Last year he was told by his doctors at Birmingham’s QE Hospital that he needed specialist treatment, which had to be approved by NHS Coventry and Warwickshire PCT - at the time the PCT refused.

Residents rallied round to collect cash and Mr Ashby himself even said he was willing to sell his house to raise the £50,000 needed to prolong his life.

By March this year, and through only a handful of events, the campaign had raised more than £10,000.

However, thanks to an NHS restructure in April, he found out he would get the treatment he so badly needed for free on the NHS.

Despite the treatment starting in May, sadly it proved too late.

In a moving interview with the Chronicle earlier this year Mr Ashby spoke of how he was getting weaker and weaker but the help and support from friends and the community had given him the strength to go on.

The money initially raised to pay for Mr Ashby's treatment will go toward a number of cancer charities.