A Norfolk charity which provides counselling and support for people with eating disorders has uneviled a fresh new look and name.

The Norfolk Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) has changed its name to Eating Matters, in a bid to more positively reflect the growing scope of its work.

Jane Witt, chief executive of the charity, said: 'We wanted to take out the negative of 'disorders' in the title of our charity and Eating Matters has another dimension to it because eating does matter and they are a lot of matters about eating.

'We feel that we fulfil a critical need in this county for all people who have eating issues that could endanger their health and wellbeing.'

While many people will immediately think of anorexia and bulimia when eating disorders are mentioned, the charity is also expanding its work to help people who have a problem with overeating for emotional reasons, which is another reason for changing its name.

Trustee Rosie Thomas said the charity had also been confused in the past with the National Eating Disorders Association, an American charity, and Beat, which used to be called the Eating Disorders Association and is a national organisation, which also happens to be based in Norwich.

She said: 'We think the new name will look more positive and appealing, particularly to young people and it doesn't have any stigmas about it.'

Eating Matters operates a contact line for making appointments so that the caller can meet with an experienced or qualified member of staff to discuss their concerns and plan the way forward.

This may result in one-to one counselling therapy or support sessions.

There are also group sessions for carers and families once a month and ongoing six-week group sessions for emotional over-eaters.

Every Thursday it holds a drop-in afternoon at its Colegate base for people in recovery and will soon have a new group forming to work with parents of young people.

Eating Matters staff work in the community, increasingly providing outreach services in wellbeing centres in colleges, and they also liaise with schools throughout Norfolk.

The charity held a re-launch event at the Virgin Lounge, in Castle Street, last night.

The Eating Matters helpline can be contacted on 01603 767062.