The hunt is on for new patients so a GP practice can expand.

Bosses at Barham and Claydon Surgery are looking for another 200 patients so the register can reach a total of 2,000. This would give the partners the confidence to proceed with plans to build a new surgery in the area, north of Ipswich.

The surgery, off Norwich Road, Claydon, has been operating out of a portable building for decades and is keen to improve its facilities.

At the weekend, people were invited to a open day to find out more about the services it offers.

Dr Dan Poulter, MP for the area, visited the surgery to meet with surgery staff.

Sue Turner, the surgery’s business manager, said: “The idea behind Saturday’s event was to make local people know that we are here and to come and say hello.

“It was very successful and by the time Dr Poulter arrived just after 2pm it was pretty much heaving.

“We would look to provide the services that we already provide but in a proper building, with an increase in capacity and more than one doctor on at a time ideally.”

She said the surgery was expecting young families to come to the area in the next few years as hundreds of new homes are set to be built.

Some residents are registered at nearby surgeries in Needham Market and Ipswich instead of at Claydon’s.

He said: “I was really impressed by the quality of the staff at the practice and their dedication to patient care.

“It was good to hear confirmation that over the next few months and years they will look to offer new services and I would encourage local residents and new residents moving to the area to sign up to the practice.”

The plans shown at the event were only early proposals – with funding for the project expected to come from developers paying fees for new homes in the area.

During the day visitors were also able to get a diabetes test from the charity Silver Star.