WIRRAL will unite with Liverpool to commemorate the Hillsborough tragedy.

Sunday marks the 29th anniversary of the disaster which saw 96 Liverpool FC fans die and many more left injured after being crushed on the Leppings Lane terraces at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium.

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

At 3.06pm, the exact time the fateful match was stopped, Mersey Tunnel traffic will come to a standstill.

Mersey ferries will sound their horns and the bells of Liverpool town hall will chime 96 times as the city marks the anniversary.

In Wirral, flags will be lowered to half-mast on the borough's civic buildings.

Wallasey town hall tower and its main windows will be floodlit in red and banners bearing the words "Truth/Justice" and "Never Forgotten" will be placed in the the gardens.

Flowers from the mayor on behalf of the people of Wirral will also be left at the Hillsborough plaque on the town hall steps.

Wirral Globe:

Across Merseyside a minute's silence will be observed in remembrance of the 96 people who lost their lives 29 years ago.

As a mark of respect, flags on civic buildings in the city - Cunard Building, Town Hall, St George’s Hall and Central Library - will be flown at half-mast and bells at the Town Hall will toll 96 times.

The Lime Street media wall opposite Lime Street Station, and the M62 digital screens will display the words "Never Forgotten" in a visual tribute to the 96.

The Mersey Ferries will also mark the anniversary by sounding their horn, and traffic will be stopped for one minute at both tunnels.

Other organisations taking part in the silence include National Museums Liverpool venues as well as all businesses at Alert Dock Liverpool such as Tate Liverpool.

Shops in Liverpool ONE and in the Liverpool Bid Company have been asked to observe the silence.

A short, simple, private act of worship will be held at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral from 2.45pm which will give people chance to continue to remember the victims of the disaster and pray for families, survivors and all those affected.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, is to attend the service and said: “We will never forget those who lost their lives at Hillsborough, and I urge everyone in Liverpool to observe the silence as a mark of respect to those who died and the family and friends they left behind.

“It is always an emotional day, and it will be incredibly poignant as the streets fall silent and the bells toll 96 times.

"As Lord Mayor of Liverpool I’m proud of this city and how it comes together to mark this sad occasion.”

On Saturday, a minute’s applause will be held before kick-off at Anfield ahead of Liverpool’s game against Bournemouth and fans on the Kop will reveal a special "96" mosaic.

Players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect and tributes will be displayed on LED boards surrounding the pitch.