A MINUTE'S silence is being held today to commemorate the 29th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.

The silence will be observed at 3.06pm, the exact time the fateful match was stopped, in remembrance of the 96 people who lost their lives 29 years ago.

Five people from Halton were killed during the FA Cup semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Sheffield ground on April 15, 1989.

They included father and son Tommy Howard, 39 and Tommy Howard junior, 14; Kevin Tyrrell, 15; and Adam Spearritt, 14; all from Runcorn.

Peter Thompson, 30, from Widnes, also died.

David Benson, 22, who lived in Penketh and worked in Widnes, was also killed.

As a mark of respect, flags on civic buildings including 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, and a team from Liverpool ONE will gather on the steps near the LFC store just before 3.06pm.

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 the families, survivors and all those affected.

During the short service, a minute’s silence will be held at 3.06pm.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, will attend this service.

Cllr Kennedy 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.”