Thousands gather at final memorial service to remember Hillsborough victims

A minute's silence was held at Anfield to mark the start of the final memorial service for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Thousands of fans gathered for the service, in which the names of the 96 Liverpool fans who died were read out before the silence was held at 3.06pm - the exact time when the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned on 15 April 1989. 

The memorial to remember those who died in the crush on the Leppings Lane terraces at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium has been an annual event at Liverpool's stadium, but relatives of the victims agreed in January that this year's service would be the last. 

Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Margaret Aspinall said at the time that "this final memorial service will provide the families with some closure" while thanking those who have supported the families over the past 27 years. 

"We hope that the public and fans respect the decision of the HFSG and will continue to remember the 96 in their own perhaps more private way," she said.

Bells tolled 96 times at the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Town Hall, with flags at civic buildings flown at half-mast.

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: "We will never forget those who died at Hillsborough, and this is a day for us to unite as a city, and remember each one and also their families and friends left behind."

Liverpool's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was sung as the service was brought to a close.