HILLSBOROUGH match commander David Duckenfield will face a retrial over the manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans, a judge has ruled.

Sir Peter Openshaw made the ruling at Preston Crown Court this morning, Tuesday.

The Crown Prosecution Service sought a retrial after a jury was discharged in having reached no verdict following a 10-week trial, although the application was resisted by lawyers for the 74-year-old retired chief superintendent.

Four Liverpool FC fans from Warrington were among the 96 killed in a crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium during the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989.

They were 19-year-old Ian ‘Ronnie’ Whelan from Padgate, 19-year-old Colin Ashcroft from Locking Stumps, 22-year-old David Benson from Penketh and 42-year-old Eric Hughes from Callands.

Under the law at the time, Duckenfield was not charged with gross negligence manslaughter over the death of the 96th victim Tony Bland as he died more than a year and a day after the disaster.

Around 10 family members were in court to hear the judge's ruling.

The retrial is expected to take place in October.