CROWDS of people flocked to a Suffolk village today, to see the latest ideas for the future of the twin Trimleys.An exhbition of the housing plans for the villages, which could include up to 3,000 new homes, was put on display at the Welcome Hall in Trimley St Mary.

CROWDS of people flocked to a Suffolk village today, to see the latest ideas for the future of the twin Trimleys.

An exhbition of the housing plans for the villages, which could include up to 3,000 new homes, was put on display at the Welcome Hall in Trimley St Mary.

About 200 people queued to have their chance to see the exhibits with representatives from Bidwells, the developer aiming to carry out the scheme, on hand to discuss any issues.

Richard Kerry chairman of Trimley St Mary parish council, said Bidwells had been invited to stage the exhibition to raise awareness of the proposals.

He said: "We invited Bidwells to put their plans forward, for the vision they have for the villages. We want the people of the village to see the plans, and at the end of the day it is up to the village to give their views on them.

"We are here in a capacity to show people around, and hopefully help them see what is going on."

Tim Collins of Bidwells was meeting a number of the residents. He remained tight-lipped about possible numbers of houses that could be built, but said today was important to get some feedback.

"If any development is to occur, it would be over a long period of time. What we can do, is to say the planned areas that are involved, but until we get to a more advanced stage, we can't be more precise about how big the development could be.

"Today is about giving out information, to enable the process of community dialogue to go on."

Outside the hall, Maddy Russell of Grimston Lane, Trimley St Martin, was handing out Save Trimley Against Growth (STAG) leaflets to people as they entered the exhibition.

She said she had already collected 700 signatures on a petition, and the group currently has 35 members. She said: "I just don't think we could cope with this development. If you try and get a doctor at the moment, you have a long wait, and people travel to Woodbridge, Martlesham and Ipswich for dentists.

Traffic would grind to a halt, and I just don't think it's being thought out properly."

Today's exhibition follows a similar display held last month in Trimley St Martin, which was attended by about 400 people.