Organisers of the Shropshire Show have been left in limbo and unable to hold any meetings after it emerged there were “discrepancies” between their charitable and business records.

Neale Sadler, acting chairman of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society, today confirmed that records held by the Charity Commission for the organisation differed from those held by Companies House.

And it has emerged the records also do not tally with those held by the society itself.

A council meeting of members had been due to take place on January 20 but was postponed after trustees were “advised” not to hold any council meetings until the records had been sorted.

A leaked document, which was sent to trustees, says: “As a registered charity we are obliged to follow the rules and regulations of the Charity Commission as well as those of Companies House.

“It has come to light that there are discrepancies between the Articles of Association held at the Charity Commission and those held at Companies House.

“Furthermore the editions held at both organisations differ to that held at the society. It is clear that amendments have been made but not necessarily ratified.

“The Charity Commission has advised that any amendments to the Articles must be sent to the Commission with a resolution and then accepted and adopted by Companies House before they become legal and can be implemented.

“It would appear that for some time this has not been done. As a result the trustees have applied to Companies House for the Articles of Association that it holds since this is the last legal version.

“A copy is being forwarded from Companies House and until it arrives and the situation has been clarified, the trustees have been advised not to hold a council meeting.”

Mr Sadler today said: “We need to be absolutely clear that we are following the right set of rules.”

Mr Sadler added preparations for this year’s Shropshire Show on May 14 and 15 were going well.

By Russell Roberts