Fire victims remembered on Twitter

Bradford held an online memorial service to mark the 35th anniversary of the Valley Parade Fire.

On 11 May, 1985 56 supporters died after a blaze engulfed a wooden stand duringthebantams’match against Lincoln, with 256 others injured.

Theservicewasrestricted to taking place on the club’s Twitter feed due to ongoing social distancing rules because of coronavirus.

There were readings and prayers performed by religious, medical and political figures from both Bradford and Lincoln, while the ceremony opened with a moving rendition of Abide With Me.

Club chaplain Oliver Evans said in his message: “This fire forms part of the narrative of who we are as acityandnowwearein similar times where we are seeing the very best of people in Bradford. We come to remember the 56 and all the lives that were impacted sadly that day.”