A Bungay doctor has announced he will be leaving the town's surgery after almost three decades.

Dr Andrew Emerson has been caring for patients at Bungay Medical Practice in St John's Road for 29 years, but will be moving on at the end of the month.

He plans to continue teaching medical students for the University of East Anglia in Norwich and performing appraisals on other GPs in the area. He will also carry out clinical sessions at other practices around the county and continue as medical director with East Coast Community Healthcare, which is based in Lowestoft.

The popular GP said he has made lots of friends over the years working at the surgery but is looking forward to new challenges. His patient list will be shared among the other GPs at the practice.

Dr Emerson said: 'It is an emotional thing to be leaving after so long in one place. I have made many friends during that time and it has been a great pleasure providing patients with care and support over the last 29 years.

'It is not easy to give up, but it feels like the right time and I know I am leaving my patients in the capable hands of my colleagues.

'I have had many cards wishing me well and lots of kind messages on social media and I want to thank everybody for those. It means a great deal to me.'

Dr Emerson's final day at Bungay Medical Practice will be on Saturday, September 30.

The practices Patient Participation Group said Dr Emerson had been 'totally committed' to both his patients and the practice. They described him as a skilled clinician who will be greatly missed.

A post on the Bungay Medical Practice website announcing Dr Emerson's departure also said the practice team is currently going through an internal review process to assess how they can adapt and better respond to the needs of patients.

It said: 'As a result of this process there are likely to be changes to the way we deliver services. We will continuously inform and update patients to any proposed changes via the Patient Participation Group (PPG) and the practice website.'