Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran took time from his family orientated week to open a suite in his name in a care home in his hometown.

Ed, who grew up in Framlingham, joined residents and colleagues at the newly redeveloped Mills Meadow care home on Fore Street, cutting the ribbon to the home’s new ‘Sheeran Suite’, which provides nursing care for older people.

Sheeran, who yesterday received an honorary doctorate from University Campus Suffolk for his outstanding contribution to music, took a tour around the home’s facilities before chatting to residents and their relatives at the care home.

Ed said: “It’s quite nice here.

“My grandfather passed away from dementia in a home like this, so it’s nice to see what they are doing here – they’re doing some good stuff.

“My dad was joking with me saying that he’s picked out his room already, he’s convinced he’s going to end up here. Maybe it’s a premonition. It’s nice here, everyone is really friendly.”

Each of the suite names, which highlight local icons and points of interest, were chosen by residents and Mills Meadow colleagues.

Resident Mary Swan, who moved to Mills Meadow from Lehmann House care home in Wickham Market in July, was pleased to help Sheeran cut the ribbon. She said: “It was a very exciting day and I enjoyed meeting Ed. I got his autograph!”

To say thanks, Care UK, which manages the care home, presented Sheeran with a £500 cheque to a charity of his choice – East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

He was also presented with a Lego set to say thanks, after the home heard that Lego is his favourite pastime.

Liz Austin, who spoke to Ed at the opening, said: “He’s a very ordinary person and very easy to talk to.

“He’s very down to earth and that’s what’s so nice about him. We were just talking about normal things, I was telling him I was born in Framlingham. He’s just himself. It’s pretty good after what he’s done to still be just normal.”

Sue Hill, home manager at Mills Meadow, said: “We are over the moon that Ed could visit us and officially open our new ‘Sheeran Suite’.

“Ed is delightful, we are really grateful that he could spare the time in his busy schedule to pop in and meet us and see our wonderful new facilities here. It’s been really good to keep it relaxed. He’s a local lad and when he’s home he’s going to come for a chat and a coffee.

“We wrote to Imogen (Ed’s mother), she popped up, had coffee and sorted it for us. It’s been fantastic.”