Glitch bars Shropshire British Legion groups from county convention

A paperwork glitch has left two Royal British Legion groups in Shropshire without invitations to the RBL's National Annual Convention - despite the event being in the county.

Both Shifnal RBL and Leegomery and Hadley RBL have been told members cannot attend the charity's convention, due to be held at the Telford International Centre on May 24.

Local charity chiefs claim they were told paperwork to register for the convention arrived two weeks late and the branches will be turned away from the International Centre if they attend.

David Moore, president of the Leegomery and Hadley branch, said the branch secretary had resigned, after being racked with guilt.

He said: "Debra Grantham, our secretary has resigned because she feels responsible. It's not her fault, she has done a great job for the branch.

"Our registration paperwork was sent off when the freezing weather descended on the county and faced long delays in the post. Apparently our paperwork was two weeks late in arriving.

"No thought was given to the fact that the Royal Mail was, at that time, snowed-in with a backlog. We only found out a month ago and I've been trying desperately to rectify the situation.

"It's a real shame the two branches won't be able to celebrate the event coming to their home town."

Mr Moore said he had appealed but claims to have been told "rules are rules".

He said they have a meeting on May 19 with a county membership official, but added: "I'm not hopeful I've tried on many occasions to get a response from the organisers, but have never even had a reply."

The Royal British Legion head office was unavailable for comment.