Last-ditch efforts to save one of the West Midlands’ oldest flower and produce shows from the axe have failed, organisers announced today.

The Codsall Wood Show enjoyed its most successful year ever in August, with a record-breaking number of people attending after hearing that the event was under threat. But committee members have revealed that their efforts to find someone to take over have been in vain, forcing them to cancel the show for good and ending a 60-year tradition.

Hundreds of villagers flocked to the fete, which made a record £4,450 profit.

Organisers, who are stepping down after years at the helm, had announced that it would be the last unless more people supported the show.

But while people offered to help, no-one was prepared to take on the task of main co-ordinator.

Show deputy chairman Hugh Clark said organisers had been trying to generate new interest in the show – a feature of village life since 1949 – for the past two or three years.

“Unfortunately, whilst it is very well attended by members of the local and surrounding communities, and we have sufficient volunteers to help us, we lack an enthusiastic leader and project manager with the time, the drive and energy to co-ordinate the whole effort,” he said.

“It is with great sadness that we have had to acknowledge that the show has come to an end.”

The 2009 event at Poplars Farm in County Lane, which took place in glorious sunshine, attracted more than 1,500 visitors – the biggest crowd on record.

When it was launched, Codsall Wood was a largely rural community with families who had lived there for generations.

Now many of the properties are owned by commuters who have not shown an interest in getting involved in the event.

All the stops were pulled out for the anniversary show, with a full range of produce classes, from rhubarb to floribunda roses. It was opened by Richard Horrell, of Wightwick, a descendent of Charles Horrell, who organised the inaugural Codsall Wood Show.

Over the past 10 years, the show has donated £35,000 from its surplus income, largely to local charities.