The West Mid Show could be resurrected under a new name and with different ambitions under rival plans by two groups separately trying to save the event.

The West Mid Show could be resurrected under a new name and with different ambitions under rival plans by two groups separately trying to save the event.

The West Mid Show Society, which runs the two-day agricultural and community event, has been placed in voluntary liquidation with debts of up to £160,000.

But hopes have been raised that the event could return under different guises.

Two groups, one made up of former trustees of the show and the other headed up by former chairmen of the event, are believed to be battling it out to stage it.

It was revealed last week that farmers Tudor Bebb and Henry Yates, both former chairmen, had called for a new one-day show devoted to agriculture. They are also proposing that it be called the Shropshire Show or Shrewsbury Show.

Their idea has also reportedly come to the attention of the owners of the Berwick Road showground, who have indicated that they might be interested in backing the plan.

However, Neale Sadler, chairman of the West Mid Show Society Council and a trustee of the event, said he was involved with a separate group of people who are considering launching their own business plan for a new event.

He said the group would be made up of a number of former trustees of the show and would also have a local theme.

Mr Sadler said: “There is certainly a will for a new show and we are keen that something comes out of the ashes and I would like to be involved in something in the future. It’s going to depend a lot on the landlords because when the the liquidators have completed the process the lease is handed back to them.”

Michael Watney, agent for the Berwick Estate, which owns the showground, said it was too early to say what type of event that would constitute or who would run it.

Meanwhile, a creditors’ meeting, initially due to be held on December 4 at the Prostar Stadium in Shrewsbury has now been switched to December 10 and will be held in Birmingham.

By Russell Roberts