Bells rang out in Liverpool at 15:06 BST today in memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster a quarter of a century ago.

The victims were crushed to death as a result of overcrowding in the Leppings Lane terraces during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final at the Sheffield ground on 15 April 1989. 

The time of 15:06 marks the moment the match was halted as the chaos unfolded 25 years ago today. 

Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral and churches across Merseyside rang their bells during the one minute's silence.

At the Anfield stadium, friends and family of victims gathered for the annual memorial service, where football scarves were draped over 96 empty seats.

The names of those who died were read out by local clergymen, the Reverend Kelvin Bolton, the Reverend David Smith and Father Stephen Maloney.

Later in the service, singer Gerry Marsden led those present in singing You'll Never Walk Alone and 96 balloons were released.

Among those in attendance was a fan described as Hillsborough's 97th victim, Andrew Devine, who was 22 when his brain was starved of oxygen during the crush in the terraces, leaving him severely brain damaged.