A seriously ill man diagnosed with cancer in Cyprus is still waiting to come home - despite being told that travel insurers have agreed to settle his medical bills and pay his air fare.

Strood businessman, Paul Hawden, 64, who has undergone emergency surgery thousands of miles away on the Mediterranean island was initially told by Barclays that his health care was not covered.

But after intervention from the Medway Messenger and his MP, the financial giant backed down and pay his £29,000 hospital fees.

He was expected to return home at the weekend, but his situation is still currently being reviewed by medical experts.

Mr Hawden, who runs a funeral business in Hoo, was only released from the specialist ward after his daughter Shaolyn, flew out and acted as his guarantor.

A spokesman for Barclays said that plans for repatriation were in progress, pending a doctor's approval to travel.

She said: "We were very sorry to hear of Mr Hawden's recent stay in hospital. Mr Hawden's doctor in Cyprus has now confirmed that his current condition is unrelated to his previous medical conditions. We have therefore been able to confirm that his treatment will be covered by his travel insurance.

"We have spoken with Mr Hawden directly to reassure him that his bills will be paid so that when he's well enough, he is able to come home."

Mr Hawden flew to Cyprus last month to decorate his holiday apartment in preparation for friends who were due to stay there this month.

He had been feeling unwell since his arrival, but alarm bells rang when Mr Hawden, who had been given the all-clear from prostate cancer, noticed blood in his urine.

He underwent an operation to remove part of his stomach and oesopagus at the private hospital.

Mr Hawden, told the Messenger: "I can't thank you enough for helping to sort this out.I just want to get home."

Rochester and Strood MP, Kelly Tolhurst, said: "It is important to get Mr Hawden back to the UK as quickly as possible so he can receive medical care here.I am delighted to hear Barclays have now taken the decisionto provide their customer, Mr Hawden with full assistance to get him back to the UK."