David Ruffley MP is pioneering a new way of keeping in touch with his constituents and making himself accessible to local residents in the rural areas of his constituency by organising a series of village tours.

David will be out and about with St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor Christopher Spicer in Pakenham, Troston and Great Livermere on Saturday, 5 July from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

David and Christopher will be at Troston Village Hall from 9.30-10.00am and at Pakenham Village Hall from 12.30-1.00pm on Saturday. Anyone from these villages who would like to raise any issues with David or Christopher is welcome to drop in. No appointment is necessary.

At other times during the morning and afternoon David and Christopher will be calling on constituents in each of the three villages and dropping in to the village shop and pub. Timings are as follows:

9.30-10.00 Troston Village Hall

10.00-11.15 Troston

11.30-12.15 Gt Livermere

12.30-1.00 Pakenham Village Hall

1.00-1.45 Lunch at The Fox, Pakenham

1.45-3.00 Pakenham

David said: 'I am pioneering a new way of keeping in touch with my constituents and making myself accessible to local residents in the rural areas of my constituency by organising a series of village tours. I see it as an essential part of my work as the local MP to keep in touch with all parts of my constituency, not just the main towns.

'I want to reach out to my constituents who live outside the main centres of population and who may find it difficult to get to Bury St Edmunds or Stowmarket for my regular advice surgeries.

'I am incorporating drop-in surgeries in village halls in my village visits so if my constituents specifically want to see me there is a set time and place for them to do so. But anyone is welcome to stop me for a chat at any time- that is what I am there for.

I look forward to meeting residents of Pakenham, Troston and Great Livermere on Saturday.'