Organisers of the West Mid Show were proposing to change the event’s name just weeks before it went into liquidation.

The Shropshire & West Midlands Agricultural Society Council discussed changing the name of the event to the Shropshire Show when it met in October.

And Neale Sadler, chairman of the group, said any show which could “rise from the ashes” would probably take the name.

He said: “It is something the council had discussed a lot in the past and it was discussed at the October meeting.

“People had thought for a long time that changing the name to the Shropshire Show would give it a better identity, giving the county a sense of ownership of the show.

“I would also think that should any new show rise like a phoenix from the ashes it would probably take on a title like the Shropshire Show.”

Yesterday it was revealed that the future of events at the West Mid Showground cannot be guaranteed.

The agents which arrange the leasing of the venue on behalf of the Berwick Estate which owns the showground said administrators will hold the lease while the company is wound up.

The news means uncertainty for events such as the Shrewsbury Folk Festival, which has made the ground its home.

Michael Watney, from Balfours, the agent acting on behalf of the Berwick Estate, said: “As the show society is in administration the administrator takes over the lease of the showground.

“The administrator is responsible for the terms of the lease so the decision making lies with them.”

The news comes as it was announced a meeting of creditors is set to take place on December 4 at the Prostar Stadium, in Shrewsbury.

Earlier in the week it was revealed a deal to save the West Mid Show from financial ruin came within moments of being struck until a VAT bill was uncovered which scuppered any rescue plan.

By Andrew Morris