Shroo or Shrow? Join the debate on Shrewsbury's name

University Centre Shrewsbury will be donating the proceeds from the event, at its Rowley's House site at 7pm on July 2, to the The Shrewsbury Ark – a charity which helps homeless and vulnerable people.

As part of the line-up for the event the organisers have arranged for historians to pitch in on either side of the debate before the audience is asked to vote for what they see as the definitive version.

Paul Kirkbright, University Centre Shrewsbury's Deputy Provost, said people could use the evidence from the experts to "resolve the debate".

He said: "We thought that it would be good to find out more about how the pronunciations came about and for people to have the chance to hear about their origins.

"We'd urge people to come along, listen to the arguments for each side, help us to resolve the debate for an evening and raise money for a fantastic charity."

The pronunciation of Shrewsbury is an ongoing topic of discussion.

Some say Shroosbury, as in rhyming with grews-bury, and some say Shrowsbury, as in rhyming with grows-bury.

The subject was debated by new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans on his Radio 2 show last year after he revealed his confusion about the pronunciation.

Shropshire Star Readers overwhelmingly backed the the Shroosbury version in a poll following the discussion, with 81.55 per cent of voters favouring it over Shrowsbury.

In 2009 a battle also broke out on Facebook between two rival camps – each claiming their own pronunciation was correct.

As part of the university evening music will be provided by Shrewsbury musicians Paul and Nikki Henshaw during the break.

The performance will include "Ben's Song", a song written by Ben Bebbington, whose death inspired The Big Busk.

Mr Henshaw added: "Right now I know where I stand on the pronunciation of our county town but I can't promise I'll feel the same way after the debate."

• Tickets are available from www.ShrewDecide.eventbrite.co.uk