A memorial service in Centenary Square will remember the 56 lives lost in the Bradford City fire disaster.

The bells at City Hall will chime Abide With Me and You’ll Never Walk Alone to mark the start of the service, which will be conducted by the Lord Mayor’s chaplain, the Very Reverend David Ison and Bradford City AFC chaplains, the Reverend Jimmy Hinton and the Reverend Paul Deo.

It will be held on Wednesday from 11am to mark the 26th anniversary of the blaze which ripped through Valley Parade as Bradford City played Lincoln in their last home match of the season in 1985.

Relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured in the fire are expected to attend the service.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Hill, and wife Gillian will welcome to the city the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Geoff Kirby, and his wife Valerie, and the Sheriff and Lady of Lincoln Roy South and his wife Sandra. Senior politicians and managers from Bradford Council and Bradford City will also attend.

Coun Hill said: “It is fitting we remember on May 11 each year all those who died in this tragedy.

“It touched the lives of virtually everyone in the district in some way and people need to reflect and mark the occasion.”

Flags will be flown at half mast, the sound from the big screen will be switched off and work will stop on City Park while the service takes place.

A memorial football tournament in April saw youngsters from local junior clubs take on teams from Bradford City, Lincoln City and teams from Germany and Ireland. It was organised by Bantams fan Carl Denton, who was in the main stand when the fire broke out.

Last year, the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu led a service in Centenary Square which was followed by other events to mark the 25th anniversary of the fire.