Please go to the BBC News homepage for the latest developments.  Merseyside Live will return from 08:00 BST on Thursday - until then, goodnight and thanks for joining us on another momentous day.

We will conclude today's Hillsborough live page with a reminder of the news that South Yorkshire's chief constable David Crompton has been suspended.

The force's Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings said there had been an "erosion of trust" and that he had had no choice but to suspend the chief constable.

The Master of Ceremonies, BBC Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Phillips, closes the vigil, telling people they have the opportunity to lay tributes at the steps of St George's Hall until the end of the week.

Earlier Danny Gordon, the brother of the late Hillsborough campaigner Anne Williams,  thanked the witnesses who "had the courage to give evidence on our behalf" at the inquests, which concluded on Tuesday.

Mr Gordon, whose 15-year-old nephew Kevin Williams died in the 1989 disaster, said: "If lives are saved by the lessons learned from these inquests, we can take small comfort in knowing our loved ones were not taken from us in vain."

Liverpool FC's anthem You'll Never Walk Alone - which came to symbolise the families' long campaign for justice - is performed by a large choir as the crowd gradually, and with increasing gusto, join in.

As it ends, cries of "Justice for the 96" bring the vigil to a close.

"Twenty-seven years ago this city was flooded in tears of grief. Now it is flooded with a different type of tears - tears of relief for the 96 innocents.

"The 96 and their families will never be forgotten - the eternal flame will always burn brightly in our hearts and memories."

Charlotte Hennessy, whose father James died at Hillsborough, was next to address the huge crowd.

Sheila Coleman of the of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, then speaks.

Margaret Aspinall welcomed the suspension of South Yorkshire's Chief Constable and warned others who were singled out for blame in yesterday's conclusions to the inquests.

"Let's hope that's only the beginning of what's going to happen - we have had 27 years of sleepness nights - let's hope you are getting yours now."

Her message is cheered loudly by the crowd.

Hillsborough justice campaigner Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James in the disaster, said she is proud of Merseysiders for their support and is "proud to be a Scouser".

Image source, Getty Images

"We've done this together" she told the crowd. "Because we're Merseysiders and we have shown this country how you change a system that's so morally wrong - it took the Scousers yet again".

The crowd cheered as she thanked the people of Liverpool, saying "I'm proud to be amongst every one of you".

Liverpool Echo editor Alastair Machray reads a poem called Liverpool by Carol Ann Duffy:

"The Cathedral bell, tolled, could never tell;

nor the Liver Birds, mute in their stone spell;

nor the Mersey, though seagulls wailed, cursed, overhead,

in no language for the slandered dead...

not the raw, red throat of the Kop, keening,or the cops' words, censored of meaning;

not the clock, slow handclapping the coroner's deadline,

or the memo to Thatcher, or the tabloid headline...

but fathers told of their daughters; the names of sons

on the lips of their mothers like prayers; lost ones

honoured for bitter years by orphan, cousin, wife -

not a matter of football, but of life.

Over this great city, light after long dark;

Truth, the sweet silver song of the lark."  

The crowd was silent as Labour MP Andy Burnham began the reading of the 96 names, followed other MPs from Merseyside including Maria Eagle, StephenTwigg and finally Steve Rotheram.

Merseyside MPs are about to read out the names of all 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster

Before Abide With Me was sung, Roman Catholic Archishop Malcolm McMahon said the people of Liverpool "came together to seek the truth" and the "defiance of the families of the 96" has "cemented the bonds of communities" in Liverpool.

"Our task now is to remain in the truth. As we call to account those responsible for their actions we must not be vengeful," he said.

He then prayed, asking that those lost at Hillsborough may be with God in a "place of peace and light."

Abide With Me - the traditional anthem of the FA Cup final at Wembley and a hymn widely associated with the Hillsborough families' campaign for justice is performed by soloist Danielle Thomas.

Liverpool FC flags flutter in the early evening air as aerial pictures reveal thousands of people gathered around St George's Hall in Liverpool city centre.

Liverpool FC player and manager Kenny Dalglish - who was manager on the day of the Hillsborough disaster - makes his way to the stage to loud cheers and reads - to absolute silence - the prayer "Footprints".

The Dean of Liverpool, Pete Wilcox, reads a statement on behalf of the Bishop of Liverpool who could not be present, saying he pays tribute to the Hillsborough families and those "who have stood for truth and justice".

It remains a story of "loss, grief and pain" and that continues but now "we really can walk on with hope in our hearts and with new confidence".  

He then led the crowd in prayer.

They were laid there by 96 youngsters from the city, including some from both Liverpool and Everton.