Thousands of people gathered to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium on April 15, 1989.

The Kop and the Centenary stands at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium were opened early for the official memorial service.

At 3.06pm, the exact time the referee blew the whistle and abandoned the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, a two-minute silence was observed throughout Merseyside and in Nottingham's Old Market Square.

The Leppings Lane end of the Hillsborough ground, where the crush took place, was opened up earlier today for people to visit and pay their respects.

As the families of the victims took their places on the Kop, the crowd of up to 30,000 people gave them a huge round of applause.

Club officials then took their seats, followed by members of Liverpool's Academy.

As Pepe Reina led the first team out, there were huge cheers and applause.

Rafa Benitez followed with his wife, Montse, coach Sammy Lee, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

There were also cheers and applause for Everton's manager, David Moyes, and Kenny Dalglish.

Opening the service the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, told the crowd the Queen had sent a message that her thoughts and prayers were with them.