The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged six men over the Hillsborough disaster, including South Yorkshire Police's former chief superintendent who has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence.

Relatives of the victims attended a meeting with the CPS where the charges were revealed to them.

The disaster took place at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final which left 96 football fans dead.

Those charged are former chief superintendent of South Yorkshire police David Duckenfield, who has been charged with manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children.

Duckenfield was match commander on the day of the disaster.

Also charged are former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison, who has been charged with four offences of misconduct in public office.

Bettison's charges relate to "alleged lies he told in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans".

Sheffield Wednesday's former company secretary and safety officer, Graham Henry Mackrell, has been charged with two offences of contravening a term or condition of a safety certificate, contrary to the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.

Mackrell is additionally charged with one offence of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons who may have been affected by his acts or omissions at work under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

South Yorkshire Police's solicitor, Peter Metcalf is charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.

Former chief superintendent Donald Denton and former detective chief inspector Alan Foster are charged with the same offence for their involvement in changes made to witness statements.

The defendants, other than David Duckenfield will all appear at Warrington Magistrates Court on August 9.

Speaking about the charges, Sue Hemming, Head of Special Crime and Counter-Terrorism Division at the CPS said that in order to prosecute Duckenfield, the CPS would have to apply to a High Court judge to remove the stay imposed at the end of his 1999 private prosecution.

The CPS said it was unable to charge Duckenfield over the death of the 96th Hillsborough victim, Anthony Bland, who died almost four years after the disaster, due to time limits applied by the law at the time.

Ms Hemming continued that a further file from the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on the conduct of West Midlands Police still needs "additional investigative work".

She added: "Additionally, just this week, the IPCC has referred two further suspects which are unconnected to the matters sent to us in January; these subjects are subject to ongoing consideration by the CPS. We will announce our decisions in due course.

"The suspects referred to the CPS included individuals and organisations.

"Following these thorough investigations and our careful review of the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have decided there is sufficient evidence to charge six individuals with criminal offences."