Shrewsbury Town Council officials say they can only offer “minimal” financial support towards a replacement for the West Mid Show, but have pledged to do all they can to help if the event goes ahead this summer.

The finance & general purposes committee discussed the matter during a behind closed doors meeting this week.

Councillors say it is important that the showground remains in use for the future prosperity of the town.

And they have given their backing to plans for a new Shropshire Show.

Town clerk Helen Ball said: “Shrewsbury Town Council acknowledges the value that the West Mid showground and its associated activities bring to the town and it welcomes the recent publicised efforts of Shropshire Council to ensure the facility’s long-term viability.

“It also acknowledges the value of the West Mid Show, a long-standing event in Shrewsbury’s events calendar, and will look to having a presence should the event take place in 2010.

“However, current information is such that any financial support beyond having a minimal presence at the show will not be available at this time.”

The society behind the historic show was saved last week after supporters voted against taking it into liquidation despite debts of about £260,000.

Members of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society threw out a proposal to wind up the company and instead backed a rescue plan to create a new revitalised event, called The Shropshire Show.

They voted to create a Company Voluntary Arrangement, which would see creditors asked to agree to a delayed repayment of the debt over several years.

Insolvency specialist Barringtons was instructed to put the CVA to creditors, with at least 75 per cent needing to agree to the deal to ensure the final survival of the society.

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 having a strong equine presence.

Mr Dodd has said that he is unable to clarify on the level of support for the show offered by Shropshire Council.

He said that he was not in a position to “quantify the help” offered until further talks with council bosses have taken place.

By Russell Roberts