WIRRAL Council is inviting people to gather at Wallasey town hall next week in memory of the 96 who died in the Hillsborough disaster.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, people will gather from 3pm on Tuesday, April 15, at the top of steps at the back of the town hall - overlooking the River Mersey and across to Anfield.

Leader of the council Cllr Phil Davies said: “The events that unfolded at Hillsborough shocked not only our community but also our whole country.

“The families and friends of the 96, who 25 years later are still fighting for answers, are in our thoughts and prayers and deserve absolute respect and admiration for their dignified and resolute determination.

“On the 25th anniversary next Tuesday, we will gather to remember those who tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough and also reflect on the long and difficult journey that their families continue in their search for justice.

“Anyone who would like to join us in paying our respects is very welcome to come along.”

Reverened Tom Carmichael will say prayers during an unofficial service of quiet reflection at the Hillsborough memorial in Port Sunlight at 3pm. The bells of nearby Christ Church will be rung 96 times.

Staff and shoppers at Pyramids Shopping Centre in Birkenhead will also observe a minute's silence at 3.06pm. 

Hillsborough Memorial Service will be held at Anfield and simultaneously screened at  Goodison Park.

Football is marking the 25th anniversary of the disaster by delaying the kick-offs of all Premier League, Football League and Conference matches by seven minutes, with the same procedure being followed in both the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

A minute's silence will be held at all league matches from Friday, April 11, to Monday, April 14, in the final minute before the delayed kick-offs.

3.06pm is the time the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped due to the disaster that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters and is the time marked every year with a minute of remembrance.

Twelve of those who lost their lives in the disaster were from Wirral.

They were:

Peter Burkett, 24, Rock Ferry.

Ray Chapman, 50, Prenton.

James Delaney, 19, Ellesmere Port.

Christopher Edwards, 29, Ellesmere Port.

Thomas "Steve" Fox, 21, Birkenhead

James Hennessy, 29, Ellesmere Port.

Arthur Horrocks, 41, Bebington.

Anthony Kelly, 29, from Rock Ferry.

Graham Roberts, 24, Wallasey.

Dave Thomas, 23, Higher Tranmere.

Chris Traynor, 26, Birkenhead.

Kevin Traynor, 16, Birkenhead.

Emotional and powerful pen portraits of three of the Wirral victims have been read out by family members at the new inquests into the deaths being held in Warrington.

The process of presenting the pen portraits is due to take until the end of the month, with the inquest not sitting during the week of the 25th anniversary of the catastrophic events.