Dr Bruce Sizer does not have any political ambitions.

Neither does he realistically expect to get back the £500 deposit he paid to enter the Clacton by-election.

But he doesn’t really mind.

Dr Sizer, a respected and dedicated consultant oncologist, entered the most high-profile by-election in living memory to get attention for cancer services.

If he achieves that, he will consider the £500 money well spent.

He stumped up the cash himself after hearing former Conservative MP Douglas Carswell’s reasons for standing down and defecting to Ukip.

Dr Sizer explained: “He said the main issue for Clacton was immigration. I think the main issue is healthcare.

“I am not politically ambitious at all, but I saw this as a remarkable opportunity to highlight cancer services and the need for funding.”

Bruce is his own political agent and his party HQ is his beach hut in Walton.

He is standing as an independent on one issue – healthcare.

He said: “The biggest issue, I believe, is health services and the financial constraints.

“There will be 40 per cent more people aged over 75 in the next ten years in north Essex.

“Cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly and 80 per cent of men over 80 will have prostate cancer.

Funding of cancer services is, in my mind, the biggest issue.

“Clacton and the coast is already unfunded, compared to elsewhere in the country.

“I am concerned in a time of financial constraint, when everyone is looking to save money, there will be an inequality, especially when there hasn’t been investment in the first place.”

Dr Sizer has worked at north Essex hospitals for nearly 20 years and specialises in gastrointestinal cancer and urological malignancies.

For him, it is a question of not only the here and now, but the funding given to cancer services ten, 20, 30 years in the future.

He said: “It is a question of balance. Clacton and the coast will never have a radiotherapy centre like the one which has opened in Colchester.

“But there should be as much as possible, as locally as possible.”

Dr Sizer will hit the campaign trail at the weekend, and is in Clacton on Saturday and Frinton and Walton on Sunday.

He will be following in the footsteps of Cabinet ministers Michael Gove and Ian Duncan Smith, as well as the colourful and controversial Ukip leader, Nigel Farage.

He has no delusions of grandeur, nor does he believe, he can win the byelection.

However, he considers anything which highlights the need for investment in cancer services as a good thing.

He added: “Hopefully, it will generate some interest in cancer services.

“If it brings attention to the issue, I consider that £500 well spent.”

Other candidates standing in the Clacton by-election are: Douglas Carswell (UKIP), Andy Graham (Lib Dem), Howling Laud Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), Charlotte Rose (Ind), Chris Southall (Green), Giles Watling (Con), Tim Young (Lab).