The Bradford City Fire Disaster memorial was surrounded by a sea of claret and amber flowers as hundreds of people came to pay their respects at a memorial service to mark the tragedy’s 24th anniversary.

Wreaths laid by civic dignitaries were soon overlaid by bouquets and sprays from victims’ families and friends who gathered in Centenary Square yesterday as the City Hall clock struck 11am.

As the Union flag fluttered at half-mast, heads were bowed, tears wept and hugs exchanged in memory of the 56 who died.

The 300 people who were also hurt that day on May 11, 1985 were also in people’s thoughts as they remembered how tragedy struck against Lincoln City just before half-time as a blaze engulfed the main stand.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Howard Middleton, hosted the service, joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of Lincoln.

Mark Lawn, who is joint chairman of Bradford City, also laid a wreath as did representatives from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and others who were involved that day.

The sun shone as Bradford City FC chaplain, the Reverend Andy Bowerman and the Lord Mayor’s Chaplain Canon Denise Poole said prayers.

A lone trumpeter then played You’ll Never Walk alone and later in the ceremony, the entire crowd united to sing Abide With Me.

Among the crowd was Bantams’ boss Stuart McCall, who played in the fateful game in 1985. His father Andy was among those injured.

After a minute’s silence, people – many wearing City shirts and scarves – made their way to get nearer the memorial, some touching it lightly, one woman laying a single red rose between the figures on it.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths@telegraphandargus.co.uk