Hillsborough commemoration being held at St George's plateau tonight

Public invited to join Hillsborough families to reflect on 27-year battle for justice.

More than 20,000 people are expected to descend on St George's plateau tonight for a special commemoration to mark the end of the Hillsborough inquests.

Members of the public are invited to gather on the plateau and Lime Street for the special event which gets underway at 5.45pm.

Family members of the 96 victims will join the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, for a mixture of tributes, music, speeches and moments of reflection.

It comes after an inquest jury ruled the 96 Liverpool FC fans were unlawfully killed. They also concluded supporters played no part in causing the 1989 tragedy.

During tonight's commemoration the names and ages of those who died in the tragedy will be read out and displayed on large screens at the event. There will also be speeches by civic leaders while BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Phillips will compere the event.

The proceedings will conclude with the Sense of Sound choir performing You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Anyone who would like to leave a tribute, for example flowers or scarves, can do so on the lower steps of St George’s Hall.

Mayor Anderson said: “The commemorative event at St George’s Hall is an opportunity for the city to come together with the families and campaigners and show the world the overwhelming spirit of comradeship and solidarity that exists in this city towards them.

“So many people have been touched by their struggle over nearly three decades. They are an example to everyone who seeks out truth and justice and tomorrow’s event is a chance for the city to say ‘thank you’ to them and to remember the lives of their loved ones.”

The commemoration event has been organised by the city council and supported by representatives of the Hillsborough family groups, Liverpool FC and Everton FC and is expected to finish around 7.30pm.

Motorists are being advised that Lime Street and St John’s Lane will be closed from around 5pm until 8pm. Diversions will be in place but delays are likely. Travel information will be available from www.merseytravel.gov.uk or Traveline on 0151 236 7676.

Merseyrail have said: Due to the Hillsborough Commemoration Event tonight, we are expecting our services to be particularly busy. We advise passengers use Liverpool Central for Northern Line & Moorfields for Wirral Line. Please take care when travelling.

The commemoration will also be broadcast live on Radio Merseyside.

Story and photo source: Liverpool Echo by Alan Weston