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A NEW monument honouring the 96 people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster will be unveiled on Sunday – the day before the 24th anniversary of the tragedy.

The huge 7ft bronze drum- shaped creation takes pride of place at the bottom of St John’s Garden, near the corner of William Brown Street, in Liverpool City Centre.

The monument, commissioned by Hillsborough Justice Campaign (HJC), was crafted by Liverpool artist Tom Murphy.

VIDEO: New Hillsborough memorial created by Liverpool sculptor Tom Murphy revealed

It’s unveiling will come at the end of Liverpool council’s commemoration of the anniversary.

Spokeswoman for HJC Sheila Coleman said: “It is a brilliant piece of artwork and will act as a fitting tribute to the memory of all those who died at Hillsborough – but also the survivors.

“We are glad it’s located in such a central position because it’s very much for the people of the city.”

She also dedicated its unveiling to John Glover, a founder member of HJC and a stalwart of the fight for justice, who recently died.

On Monday the annual memorial service, organised by Hillsborough Family Support Group, will be held at Anfield and all those wishing to attend are being asked to contact Liverpool FC for tickets.

The day before (SUN) Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Lord Mayor Sharon Sullivan will be hosting a short private service for families at the town hall.

Mayor Anderson will also dedicate a clock on permanent public display at the town hall – with the hands fixed at 3.06pm – the exact time the fateful 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was stopped.

It will remain at the town hall as a lasting memorial to those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

The clock is an antique grandfather clock, manufactured in Liverpool and was donated by National Museums Liverpool.

The city council will also take full ownership of the memorial and responsibility of future maintenance.

Mr Murphy said: “Hillsborough means a lot to people in the city. It’s not just the tragedy of the people who died, but the legacy of the people who were there and were traumatised by it.”

He said the monument was not intended as a replacement for the one at Anfield, but was designed to be a city centre tribute.

“I think this is the most important sculpture I’ve done. This monument is about being a human being, it is about saying ‘we have not forgotten you, we will remember you’.”

He said the birds symbolise the people who died in the 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

“It is hard to explain in a way that a film is hard to explain without taking 20 minutes.

“It makes more sense when you look at it than when you explain it. It takes you to another dimension, a special place of remembrance.”

*Hillsborough - the long road to justice: the story so far (TIMELINE)

*Hillsborough disaster: How the Liverpool ECHO reported the tragedy