Hillsborough: Liverpool marks 30 years since disaster

Liverpool fell silent for a minute to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough football disaster.

Ninety-six lanterns were lit on the steps of St George's Hall in tribute to those who died.

Banners with images of each of the fans killed in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's ground were also displayed.

A minute's silence was held across the city at 15:06 BST - the precise time the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest ended.

The bells of the Town Hall tolled 96 times following the silence, while flags on civic buildings were flown at half mast as people gathered at locations across Liverpool to mark the anniversary.

Traffic going through the tunnels under the Mersey was stopped for one minute and the Mersey Ferries marked the anniversary by sounding their horns.

City mayor Joe Anderson and Lord Mayor, Councillor Christine Banks, laid wreaths in front of the lanterns to begin the day of remembrance.

The message on Mr Anderson's wreath read: "Never Forgotten. Reds and Blues united."

Speaking outside St George's Hall, Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew died in the disaster, said: "Andrew has been dead now four years longer than he was alive.

"He was only 26 when he died and he had his whole future and whole life ahead of him. I really struggle with that."

Mr Anderson said the anniversary was an "emotional day" and a "milestone".

On Monday morning Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson laid a floral tribute and the first team, academy and women's squads paid their respects by visiting the memorial.

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, 10, was the youngest victim of the tragedy, was among those to pay tribute on social media.

He posted a picture of the Hillsborough memorial on Instagram with the caption "Never forgotten".

A memorial service was held at Liverpool Cathedral and The Kop was opened for people who wanted to sit and reflect.