A MEMORIAL service to mark the 34th anniversary of the fire at Valley Parade will take place tomorrow.

The fire killed 56 spectators on May 11, 1985, and injured at least 265 others when the blaze broke out at Bradford City's game against Lincoln City.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Ed Anderson, The High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Paul Laurence and the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Zafar Ali will attend the memorial service in the city centre.

The service, which starts at 11am, will be conducted by Rev Canon Paul Maybury, Precentor, Bradford Cathedral, assisted by Rev Dr Jonathan Pritchard, Keighley Town chaplain and Team Vicar and Pastor Oliver Evans, chaplain to Bradford City AFC.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Lincoln Councillor Keith Weaver and Jacqui Lane will represent the city of Lincoln at the event.

As each year passes, it remains important to the city and district that we take time to remember those who were affected and those who continue to be affected by the tragic events on 11th May 1985

- Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Zafar Ali

Bradford City were playing Lincoln City in their last home match of the season in 1985 when the fire ripped through the ground killing 54 Bradford City fans, two Lincoln City fans and injuring many more.

The service, which is attended by the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured, as well as local people, takes place at the Bradford City Fire Memorial sculpture in Centenary Square.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Mr Anderson will lay a wreath on behalf of her Majesty the Queen, the High Sheriff of West Yorkshire, Mr Laurence will lay a wreath on behalf of the county.

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The Lord Mayor of Bradford will lay wreaths on behalf of the city and the district. Wreaths will also be laid by the Mayor of Lincoln, Ajay Mahajan on behalf of the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit at the University of Bradford, a representative for Bradford City AFC on behalf of bereaved families and the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Following the laying of floral tributes, Abide with Me will be sung by those attending.

Lord Mayor of Bradford Cllr Ali said: "As each year passes, it remains important to the city and district that we take time to remember those who were affected and those who continue to be affected by the tragic events on 11th May 1985.

"I hope people will come to Centenary Square and pay their respects."

A memorial service has been held at the Bradford City Fire Memorial statue in the city centre each year since the disaster.

The memorial itself was donated to Bradford by the city of Hamm in Germany, which is twinned with of Shipley, and whose Oberbürgermeister was at the game in 1985.