Red faces after Shrewsbury black tie ball cancelled - but Mayor of Telford turns up

Councillor Kevin Guy arrived at the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel on Saturday night for the black tie event only to be told by hotel staff that the event had been cancelled two weeks ago due to lack of numbers.

The event had been planned to raise money for Hope House Children's Hospice and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust with tickets priced at £37.50 each.

The evening was due to include a four-course dinner and entertainment.

Councillor Guy said there had been a 'lack of organisation' in letting him know the event was not going ahead.

"When we were there, we just got out the car and the hotel manager explained and gave his apologies," he said.

Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Keith Roberts said today he had not been aware that his Telford counterpart had not been told it was cancelled.

And officials at Shrewsbury Town Council have insisted letters were sent to all guests - including Councillor Guy - on February 26 saying the ball had been cancelled.

"As far as I was concerned, all the people going were informed it was off," Councillor Roberts said.

"The decision was taken a week last Monday because ticket sales were very poor."

He said it was unfortunate that the Mayor of Telford had not been made aware the event was off.

"It is a shame but I wasn't aware of it," he said.

A spokesman for Shrewsbury Town Council said today on Twitter efforts had been made to inform the Mayor of Telford's office.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Letters/refunds were sent February 26 and we can confirm this included Telford & Wrekin," she said.

Last year's charity ball for previous Mayor of Shrewsbury Tony Durnell attracted about 100 guests to the Albright Hussey Manor Hotel with about £1,500 being raised towards his grant fund set up to help local organisations.

Money from this year's mayor's ball would have been split between Hope House and the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.