Hillsborough disaster: Final Anfield memorial for 96 Liverpool fans including Cannock's David Birtle

Today marks the 27th anniversary of the disaster which unfolded in the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Nearly three decades on, a jury this month finished hearing evidence in fresh inquests into those killed.

Meanwhile, a criminal investigation known as Operation Resolve is looking at events that led to catastrophe and what happened on the day itself.

There is also an Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry into the aftermath of the disaster —including the role of West Midlands Police.

Among those who were killed was David Birtle, aged 22, from Cannock.

The HGV driver was born in West Bromwich and drove himself to the game on April 15, 1989.

Sadly his father James Saunders, known as Jim, of Woodside Place, Cannock, died the weekend before evidence about his son was to be heard at the inquest two years ago.

In his last media interview, Mr Saunders told the Express & Star how he wanted justice for his son.

He said: "Everything's been swept under the carpet.

"You learn to live with it, I suppose, for the simple reason that it'd drive you barmy. But you never forget it.

"Give David Cameron his due, he's had the guts to stand up and say that mistakes have been made. But this has gone on long enough It's all got to come out into the open and show people up for what they are."

The coroner's court in Warrington heard that David was identified on video footage as being in front of pen three at the stadium and still alive and moving two minutes after the game was stopped.

"The officers of Operation Resolve have picked out David right in front of the perimeter fence and moving" at nearly 3.08pm, said Christina Lambert QC.

The inquests heard from police constable Steven Thompson, who described treating a casualty he believed to be David in the middle of pen three at about 3.20pm or 3.25pm.

Mr Thompson, who said he couldn't recall whether he checked David for a pulse, said he was then approached by another officer and told he was wasting his time.

His mother Jennifer Birtle, who is separated from David's late father, told the inquest: "David was loved deeply by all his family and is missed every single day by us all. We were robbed of a son, brother, grandson and now uncle. David did not get the chance to have a family, but we know that he would have been a wonderful father.

"I find not being able to say his name or write it in a birthday card so sad.

"I have been spared the worst of what happened that day. I am grateful for that, but I am reminded that I was out of the country when David died.

"I have asked myself a million times, if only I had been at home, but I know David would have still gone to Hillsborough that day, and he was where he was happiest, watching his beloved Liverpool."

Trevor Hicks, one of the leading Hillsborough campaigners, was a former managing director in Kingswinford.

He lost his two daughters Sarah, 19, and Vicki, 15, in the disaster.

The inquest jury has retired to consider its verdicts.