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The inquests into the deaths of 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster are to be held in Warrington, the coroner announced today.

Lord Justice Goldring has informed Hillsborough victims’ relatives of his decision to hold the inquests, which are scheduled to start by March 31 next year, in the Cheshire town, with the precise location and venue to be provided “in due course”.

The coroner, who had already decided to hold the inquest in the North West, made the decision after hearing conflicting arguments at a preliminary hearing earlier this year in support of holding the hearing in either the North West or London.

Both investigations into the disaster, which the coroner will rely on, are based in Warrington and the proximity to documents is thought to be a persuasive factor.

The town has a second-tier crown court, administered from Chester, which could be a possible venue. A coroner's court is also based nearby but may be too small to handle a process expected to last months.

LJ Goldring made it clear he believed families, many of whom are based in Merseyside, should be able to travel to and from the inquests each day as easily as possible.

Key witnesses may also need to come from Sheffield, London and other parts of the country.

Warrington's proximity to the M62, M6 and M56 will have worked heavily in its favour. It also has two train stations, Bank Quay -serving the West Coast mainline, and Central, serving Liverpool Lime Street.

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The announcement comes one week before the final pre-inquest hearing in London and ends a period of rumours and representations from interested parties about the location, with Chester and Preston other contenders.

At the final pre-inquest, families of the 96 victims believe they will learn more about the inquest process, including the full scope of the hearings and details on whether issues such as the reasons for taking blood alcohol levels from victims will be examined.

Legal representations are set to be made by all interested parties to the inquests, including the FA, South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield Wednesday FC, as well as lawyers for the victims’ families and the separate investigation teams.

Until now the preliminary hearings have been held in the Principal Registry of the Family Division.