THOSE who lost their lives at Hillsborough are being remembered today - on the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy.

Fans across Merseyside are stopping to pay tribute to the 96 Liverpool FC supporters who died at the Sheffield ground during the FA Cup semi final on April 15, 1989.

Visitors to the Hillsborough Memorial Garden in Port Sunlight village have left floral tributes and pay their respects.

Lionel Bolland, from the Port Sunlight Village Trust, told the Globe: "It's quite a nice thing for people to come along and pay their respects.

"The garden has been prepared and is ready for visitors.

"It can be quite impromptu, and we usually get people coming along at any time of the day to lay flowers."

Across the Mersey a civic service was held at Liverpool Town Hall this morning.

There were prayers and a one minute silence. A candle was also lit.

Attending the invitation-only event were civic dignitaries and relatives of those who died. Prayers were said by Reverend John Williams.

Lord Mayor Frank Prendergast said: "We must never, ever forget the dreadful events at Hillsborough in which so many people lost their lives.

"This is an opportunity for us to come together and remember those who died, and remind people that it can never be allowed to happen again."

At 3:06pm – the time of the tragedy - the town hall bells will toll 96 times.

There will also be a service of remembrance at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield ground, starting at 2.45pm.