Discussions are taking place to bring a branch of Ely Foodbank into Sutton.

Since it was launched in Ely, in 2012, the foodbank has expanded rapidly into Littleport, Soham, March and Chatteris, and volunteers are handing out more than 3,500 meals a month – double what they were two years ago.

Officials at the foodbank say that families in East Cambridgeshire’s rural villages often struggle finding transport to get to a distribution centre so they are planning to expand their reach with a new outlet in Sutton.

Rev Karl Relton, of the Countess Free Church, in Ely, said that discussions were “moving forward” but that no dates had yet been set.

He said: “As a foodbank that serves a fairly rural population, we are very conscious that access and transport are key issues and we know that there are people in need in the outlying villages.

“But the services are based in the city and it can be quite hard for people to get to the help they need.”

Rev Relton said that they had approached Sutton Parish Council for its help in setting up a foodbank and that St Andrew’s Church was also involved.

He added: “We like to work with the local churches and with local people who are key to make it work, we depend on their help.

“We will work with all parties to see whether a distribution point can be established where we would take pre-packaged items to hand out.”