A HUSBAND today vowed to fight government 'bureaucracy' in memory of his wife who died from breast cancer six months ago.

Barrie Hilton, of Beechwood Drive, Blackburn was angered that a Herceptin, a life enhancing breast cancer drug, was added to the NHS yesterday, despite being passed safe for use in Britain in 1999.

He said the delay was unacceptable when people like his wife Michelle fought for 18 months when seriously ill to get the drug in the hope they could live longer.

And he has pledged to write to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Blackburn MP Jack Straw and Health Secretary Alan Milburn to voice his disgust at the amount of 'red tape' to be cut through before a drug is added onto the NHS.

He fears other women could die in the future while waiting for medicines to be approved.

Michelle died aged 37 in September before she had the chance to take Herceptin. Three weeks earlier, bosses at the Christie Hospital had agreed to give her the drug after she appealed through the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

At that time Herceptin was only available if a doctor wrote to a health authority and requested emergency funding.

Now, following approval from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence, the drug will be given to every suitable patient on the NHS.

Barrie, although happy other women will get the drug, is angry that the NICE deliberated for 18 months before giving approval.

He said: "I am going to do something. I have noted one or two people on the television, like the Conservative health spokesman Simon Burns, who I plan to contact to try and get their support to push NICE into make quicker decisions.

"Michelle shouldn't have had to go public to be treated. This was a drug that meant a lot to a lot of people that could have extended their lives and someone needs to ask questions on why it has taken so long.

"I will never know if it would have worked, but it could have given Michelle a chance of a longer life."