The chairman of a Watford charity said he "could not continue" after trustees rejected his advice to cancel their annual general meeting.

John Horsfield, 81, said he had been urged by the Charity Commission to reform Shopmobility Watford’s 30-year-old constitution, which was “no longer fit for purpose”, before it files its annual accounts in August.

But after trustees voted to hold their annual general meeting on June 4 without reorganising its structure first, he decided to step down after over four years.

John Horsfield was elected chair of Shopmobility in October 2019.John Horsfield was elected chair of Shopmobility in October 2019.

Mr Horsfield said the outcome had left him “saddened”, adding: “It’s a great shame. The charity does really good things and is certainly the best in the area, but the trouble is it has weak foundations.”

Shopmobility, which is based in the CitiPark Church car park, offers electric scooters and wheelchairs to help people get around the town centre.

The charity offers electric scooters and wheelchairs to help people get around the town centre.The charity offers electric scooters and wheelchairs to help people get around the town centre. Mr Horsfield, who has one leg, has been a member of the charity since 2008 and said he will continue to use its services in the future.

Despite his decision, he stressed: “Shopmobility is still providing a good and valuable service to people like me and amputees in Watford.”

Shopmobility Watford declined to comment.