A SCULPTURE to remember the 96 people who lost their lives during the Hillsborough disaster has been unveiled at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Commissioned by Mayor Joe Anderson in conjunction with the Hillsborough Family Support Group in 2014, ‘The Band of Life’ has been relocated from office buildings in Old Hall Street.

The aim of the sculpture is to represent the bond between families, friends and survivors who were brought together in a time for the love of those who died.

The band signifies the circle of love which brings Merseyside together to remember.

It was officially unveiled in its new home at the airport in a special ceremony on Thursday, March 15.

Lord Mayor cllr Malcolm Kennedy, representatives of the families and senior airport managers all attended the unveiling.

Cllr Kennedy said: “I am pleased and privileged to have unveiled the Band of Life at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

“It is a poignant symbol of the 96 innocent football fans that needlessly lost their lives, and a constant reminder of the long fight for truth and justice by their families.”

96 Liverpool fans died in the crush at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough stadium on April 15 1989, as the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest began.

Twelve of those who died during the Hillsborough disaster 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.

Hillsborough Family Support Group chairwoman Margaret Aspinall said: “The Band of Life is hugely symbolic, not just to those who died and the families who’ve lost loved ones, but also the survivors and those who’ve supported us for so many years.

“I’ve wanted it to go somewhere that it would be seen by many, many people and Liverpool John Lennon Airport is an excellent location given the large number of people who pass through their doors every year.”

With 96 lights, representing each person who died, the sculpture is always illuminated to bring light to their lives.

Chairman of Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented: “When we heard that a new home was being sought for the Band of Life, we were naturally only too happy to offer space for this to be relocated close to the Arrivals area in the Airport terminal building.

“This will help to ensure that the millions of arriving passengers at the Airport, be they visitors to the City Region or those returning home, will continue to remember the 96 lives that were lost.”