The Hillsborough campaigners are to be honoured with the Freedom of the City of Liverpool award.

For the first time ever, the city's top award will also be awarded posthumously to the 96 men, women and children who died that day in 1989.

Key figures who help expose the cover up and campaigned for justice include The Right Reverend James Jones, whose report led to the quashing of the first inquest.

Professor Phil Scraton, whose book Hillsborough: The Truth which is widely accepted as the definitive account of the disaster, will also get the honour.

They are joined by Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool FC's manager at the time, and his wife Marina, who represented the club at many of the funerals of those who tragically lost their lives.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said the individuals they are honouring "have played a crucial role in righting of the biggest wrongs seen in recent British history."

He added: "The fight for truth and justice over the last 27 years has involved many people, not least the families of the 96 who we honoured with the Freedom of the City back in 2009.

"It has needed tremendous diligence and persistence to demolish the wall of lies that was cruelly created by the establishment to deflect blame for the tragedy away from those that were really responsible.

"We are also, in truly exceptional circumstances, posthumously awarding the Freedom of the City to the 96 innocent people who the whole world now knows paid the ultimate price for the failings and actions of others, and who have been disgracefully smeared over many years."

Each of the recipients will receive a specially commissioned medal together with the traditional scroll.

And a brass 'Freedom of Liverpool' plaque will be placed in the Town Hall honouring the 96 who died.