Big hitters in Shropshire’s business world today came forward to throw their support behind the organisers of the West Mid Show to help it through its cash flow crisis.

Shropshire & West Midlands Agricultural Society needs at least £50,000 to help with cash flow and a further £20,000 as a contingency fund. Yesterday the Star revealed the society had set up a business board.

It wants people to support it with funding or by holding events at the West Mid Showground in Shrewsbury

But it vowed the two-day West Mid Show itself is not under threat.

Today the society said former Shropshire Newspapers managing director Colin Spicer and Mike Lowe, a deputy lieutenant of Shropshire and senior partner with chartered accountants Tranter Lowe, would sit on the business board.

The board, which includes society vice chairman Neale Sadler, treasurer Keith Winter, a director of chartered accountants Dyke Yaxley, and commercial director Gary Tudor, will be chaired by Tony Randall.

Mr Randall is president of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce and managing director of Heritage Glass.

He today urged businesses and people to pledge their support for the society to help it secure vital cash.

He said: “The county needs to come together.”

Mr Lowe added: “Shropshire is a county that many of us are terribly proud of and the West Mid Show is an integral part of its history, economy and attraction to other areas.

“We want to keep it going and attract more people into the county to support it.”

Other big business names supporting the society inclu- de Alison Bukhari, managing director of Starfish Ad- vertising and Marketing Ltd; Steve Holding, managing director of SP Holding Ltd, and Tracey Holding, its financial director.

Shrewsbury Folk Festival organisers Alan and Sandra Surtees, Alan Bowyer, joint managing director of financial advisors Bowyer Styles; and Bob Hicklin, managing director of Shropshire Vending Services Ltd, have also pledged support.

Mr Hicklin said: “It will be a combination of financial support and support to encourage people to come forward to support the show.

“It’s extremely important for the business community to get behind the show because it does bring important visitors to the town.”