Livestock, horses, food and drink would be the focus of The Shropshire Show, a renamed event to replace the crisis-hit West Mid Show.

Members of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society last night heard a business plan for the survival of the charity, also a limited company, which faces huge debts following years of operating at a loss.

The Shropshire Show would still be held at the showground but would have a new team behind it.

Trustee Roy Dodd put forward his business plan for the society and proposals for the event, supported by Shropshire Council, which would have a theme of “from farm to table.”

It would feature livestock, local produce, food and drink as well as a strong equine presence.

He told members: “We have always had a successful food hall at the show and we think that should be promoted more.

“We have 120 years of history, a good location but we’ve had 10 years of financial losses. We want to build on Shropshire’s reputation for excellence in food and want the showground to be the venue of choice for other events.”

Mr Dodd refused to clarify on the level of support for the show offered by Shropshire Council, saying he was not in a position to “quantify the help” offered until further talks with council bosses had taken place.

He also said the trustees would be approaching major firms in the county, including Muller, the Wynnstay Group and Rea Valley, for sponsorship and hoped deposits from exhibitors and other organisations would provide enough working capital to prepare for a show.

Former chairman Tudor Bebb said he understood Shropshire Council might want to take on the lease for the showground as part of its support package.

Mr Dodd refused to go into details about talks he had held with council leader Keith Barrow but transferring the lease to the authority would take away a large chunk of the society’s income annually, making it harder for it to repay its creditors.

Insolvency expert Kevin Lucas, of Barringtons, warned members that even though they had voted not to wind the company up, it could still go into liquidation if any of the creditors applied for a winding-up petition in the High Court before a CVA was in place.

Other high profile West Mid Show supporters at the meeting included members Margaret Thrower, John and Caroline Davies and former chairman Annie Home-Dodd.

By Business Editor Amy Bould