A foodbank has opened in a north Suffolk town, to meet the needs of people living in the area.

Waveney Foodbank has opened the distribution centre at the Vine Church Hall in Dove Lane, Eye, which operates every Friday, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

The foodbank gives out a box of food, which lasts for three days, to people in the area.

Project co-ordinator of Waveney Foodbank, Graham Reardon, said the distribution centre had been opened in an attempt to make the provider more accessible.

Mr Reardon said: “If you can’t afford to eat you can’t afford to get on a bus.”

Currently, 90% of the group’s distribution centres are in rural Suffolk and Norfolk communities.

“We ask welfare professionals to assess people before giving them vouchers,” said Mr Reardon.

“People only get food from us if they have been assessed by a welfare professional.

“We want to make sure we cover people if we can.”

The Citizen’s Advice Bureau from Diss, which distributes vouchers, is open in the Doctors Surgery in Eye on Thursday mornings, and the foodbank group is hoping to find other voucher distributors in the town.

The group has seen a slow increase through the two years it has been operating, but Mr Reardon said with welfare cuts he wasn’t expecting numbers to go down.

He added: “All the distribution centres have a slow start.

“It is generally slowly creeping up.

“In an ideal world it wouldn’t exist but I’m not holding my breath that numbers will drop. I can’t see it happening.

“We expect there will be more people that need help.”

The church, along with other clubs in the town, including the WI, provide food for distribution.

“I think food is generally matching the amount we give out. We’re very grateful for the people who support us.

“We’re always looking for people to get involved.”

Anyone wanting more information, or wanting to help out, is asked to call Mr Reardon on 01379 873335.