AYR’S MSP John Scott has vowed to help cancer patients whose treatment was left interrupted by coronavirus after his own brave battle with the disease.

The Tory politician has retuned to work after a tough year fighting pancreatic cancer.

The 69-year-old has had surgery and six months of intensive chemotherapy until March.

He was welcomed back to Holyrood with a kind message from Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions last week.

Now he can’t wait to get started and serve his constituents once again.

Mr Scott told the Advertiser: “I’m okay at the moment, I’m gradually easing myself back in

“I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. I had surgery during which a tumour was removed

“Subsequently I had six months of very intensive chemotherapy which finished in March

“I didn’t start that til September because I wasn’t strong enough after the surgery

“I’ve been in recovery ever since.

“The last scan I was given the all clear but I am due more scans in August

The MSP’s treatment for cancer finished just before the UK went into lockdown leaving many patients facing uncertainty.

Mr Scott added: “I was very lucky that my treatment effectively finished on March 11.

“My heart goes out to the people who have treatment delayed or diagnoses delayed having come through the mill myself.

“I will support every effort to make getting cancer treatments a priority and all other services as quickly as possible.”

The politician has thanked the support from his family and constituents during his hiatus from office.

Although he hasn’t been able to hold face to face meetings, he has promised to get back to helping residents in Ayr.

He added: “It’s great to be back at my work, I’m immensely grateful for my wife and constituents, family, and parliamentary colleagues – it’s kept me going.

“I am pleased to get back to work and helping constituents.

The MSP has arrived back to a very different Ayr with a new council leader in place and he is looking forward to the chance to be able to meet Councillor Peter Henderson.

Scott added: “I’m sorry that Douglas Campbell has had to stand down and welcome Peter Henderson.

“I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with a number of council leader’s on a one-to-one basis.

I’ve yet to have a proper a meeting but I very much look forward to that with a view to helping South Ayrshire Council.”