MERSEYSIDE will fall silent for a minute today to mark the 30th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans lost their lives in the tragedy at the FA Cup semi-final match on April 15 1989.

A minute's silence will be held across Liverpool and Wirral at 3.06pm, the time the match was stopped, on Monday.

Flags on civic buildings will be flown at half mast and the bells of the Town Hall will toll 96 times.

Traffic going through the tunnels which link the city to the Wirral will be stopped for one minute as the silence is held and the Mersey Ferries will mark the anniversary by sounding their horns.

Images of the victims printed on banners, along with the words Never Forgotten, have been put on display at the front of St George's Hall in the city.

From Monday morning, 96 lanterns with lit candles will also be displayed on the steps of the hall, where members of the public will be able to pay their respects and leave tributes.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, who will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of the city, said: "The 96 have never been forgotten and even though this city is divided by our footballing allegiances, we have been united in supporting the families and Hillsborough survivors for the past 30 years, and will continue to do so.

"St George's Hall is our city's gathering place, whether to celebrate or commemorate, and I can think of no better venue to host a temporary memorial.

"The banners adorned with the images of the 96 will be especially powerful, and the lanterns will serve as a reminder that this city will never forget them."

A memorial service is due to be held at Liverpool Cathedral at 2.45pm.

The Kop at Anfield will be open between 1pm and 4pm for anyone who would like to sit for a period of reflection.

Plans for a public commemoration event on the steps of St George's Hall were cancelled after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of match commander David Duckenfield, who is charged with the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 of the victims.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is seeking a retrial, but it will be opposed by lawyers for the former chief superintendent at a hearing in June.

Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell is due to be sentenced on May 13 after he was found guilty of failing to discharge a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act in respect of ensuring there were enough turnstiles to prevent unduly large crowds building up outside the ground before the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.