Campaigners have expressed disappointment after the health watchdog turned down a bowel cancer drug for use on the NHS.

Avastin, or bevacizumab, can help patients with advanced bowel cancer which has spread to other organs, usually the liver and lungs.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) said it had considered the drug, including a risk-sharing scheme from the manufacturer Roche, but considered the price too high for the extra benefit it gives patients.

Avastin costs almost £21,000 per patient and an estimated 6,500 people per year could be eligible. Clinical data shows it can typically offer patients an extra six weeks of life when added to chemotherapy drugs. The study showed patients typically lived 21.3 months compared with 19.9 months with chemotherapy alone.

The latest guidance from Nice is subject to consultation and appeal.

Sir Andrew Dillon, chief executive of Nice, said: "We are disappointed not to be able to recommend bevacizumab as well but we have to be confident that the benefits justify the considerable cost of this drug."