THE 96 men, women and children who lost their lives at Hillsborough will be posthumously awarded Freedom of Wirral during a special council meeting tonight.

The riverside gardens overlooking the Mersey at Wallasey Town Hall will also be dedicated by the mayor, Cllr Ann McLachlan on behalf of the people of Wirral as a permanent memorial to the 96 during the event.

Open to the public, the ceremony starts at 6pm.

As well as commemorating those who died, the gardens will also serve as a lasting tribute to the courage, dignity and tenacity of the families and their campaign for justice for their loved ones.

The choir of St Joseph's Primary School in Birkenhead will sing Gerry & The Pacemakers' classic You'll never walk alone and Sir Paul McCartney's We all stand together during the ceremony 

Looking ahead to the event choir leader Claire Lester said: "We are thrilled our talented children's choir have been asked to sing at this very special event. 

"It will be an honour to be there to help remember and pay our respects to the 96 and their families."

Wirral Pipe Band will also provide stirring music for the occasion. 

Pipe Major, Chris Eyre, leading the band on the day, said: "I've had the privilege to play the pipes around the world for over 45 years, but one event will always stay with me; in the days after the Hillsborough tragedy.

"I led a band of 30 pipers into Anfield and played for people who were paying their respects and laying down flowers.

"I will never forget that day."

Bandmember John Mahoney added: "I'm really looking forward to playing for the families – it's always pretty spectacular to see and hear so many pipers and drummers playing in unison."

Created with the support of The Hillsborough Family Support Group the gardens will be a place of remembrance and reflection.

Margaret Aspinall, chairwoman of The Hillsborough Family Support Group said: "It is so important that the 96 and the lessons of that terrible day are never forgotten.

"The freedom of the borough and the memorial garden will provide a lasting reminder for generations to come.”

Twelve of those who died were from Wirral and Ellesmere Port.

They were Peter Burkett, Raymond Chapman, Anthony Kelly, James Delaney, Christopher Edwards, Arthur Horrocks, Kevin Traynor, Chris Traynor, James Hennessy, Graham Roberts, Dave Thomas and Thomas "Steve" Fox.

Council leader, Cllr Phil Davies said: "These gardens will be dedicated to the memory of the 96 men, women and children, who went to a football match and never came home.

"They will also honour all those whose lives were changed forever almost 30 years ago, and salute the heroic struggle for truth, justice and accountability that continues to this day."