A business with roots going back to as early as 1840 has expanded further in Suffolk by opening a new centre in Woodbridge.

Farthing Funeral Service, which started 184 years ago in Woodbridge Road in Ipswich, has now expanded to open a premises in Station Road in Woodbridge.

It has revamped a building previously used as an office and a dental surgery into a funeral home.

The business started out as Hastings and Son, before becoming Singleton and Hastings under the leadership of the Farthing family whose involvement, initially in Felixstowe, stemmed from 1950.

The business, part of the Funeral Partners network, has already got locations in Ipswich, Felixstowe and Debenham, and are now opening its Woodbridge location to offer services to more people in east Suffolk.

East Anglian Daily Times: Funeral Arranger Ammie Nichols and Funeral Director Francesca Souter at the new Farthing Funeral Service funeral home in WoodbridgeFuneral Arranger Ammie Nichols and Funeral Director Francesca Souter at the new Farthing Funeral Service funeral home in Woodbridge (Image: Funeral Partners)

Area development manager Jamie Waters said: "We have looked at several properties over the last 18 months, but this was by far the outstanding choice for our new funeral home.

"The refurbishment and new facilities for funeral arrangements and to care for the deceased are both welcoming and of a high standard.

"We have always looked after families in the Woodbridge area, and we hope having a new funeral home in the town will make it easier for them to access us when they need our services."

The Woodbridge home will be staffed by funeral director Francesca Souter and funeral arranger Ammie Nichols.

Mr Waters added: "The team and I are looking forward to becoming a bigger part of the community with our involvement in local events and charities, anyone is welcome to pop in for a chat, take a look around or if they need any bereavement support and information on funeral plans, Francesca and Ammie are available and happy to help."