A team including Hillsborough family members and survivors received an emotional welcome back at Anfield after completing a three-day, 80-mile run from Sheffield.

The sixth Hillsborough to Anfield run began with the group of 19 - including cyclists and support staff - paying their respects and laying flowers inside the ground where 96 fans lost their lives as a result of the disaster on April 15, 1989.

They then ran 38 miles to Stockport in one day and the following morning set off on a further 27 to Widnes, before completing the final 14 miles home to Anfield on the morning of the Merseyside derby, where they were welcomed home by families, survivors and supporters.

Steve Kelly, who lost his 38-year-old brother Michael in the disaster, said the determination to keep going through the gruelling run was symbolic of the long fight families have had to secure justice for their loved ones.

“It’s great to be home,” he said.

“We’ve had a hard few days and it’s quite poignant we finished here at Anfield on derby day with there being plenty of people from both of the city’s teams here to cheer us home and wish us well for what we’ve tried to achieve.

“It’s a fantastic event with people putting their time and effort in, replicating the struggle we’ve had for all these many years to seek justice for the 96 and the city we come from.

“It’s nice to be home and to be able to reflect on what we’ve achieved over these last few days.

“All we can say is thank you for what you’ve done for us and we’ve done this run to thank you for all the wonderful support which has kept us going for so long.”

Sara Williams, daughter of the late campaigner Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son Kevin died at Hillsborough, said: “It was an amazing experience with incredible people, utmost respect to all.”