Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has expressed his delight at the news of two major victories in the campaign for justice for the 96 innocent victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

The Scottish manager, who was in charge of the club at the time of the tragedy, has long championed the cause and hailed the decision to quash the original inquest verdicts.

Home secretary Theresa May also announced a new police inquiry into the disaster which will re-examine what happened on April 15 1989.

“Two fantastic results today for the Hillsborough families. Your support has been unbelievable,” Dalglish tweeted.

Earlier this week, the Scot helped launch a single by the Justice Collective, which aims to raise money for the families and victims of the tragedy and is in the running to be Christmas No.1 in the charts.

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge, who played in the abandoned semi-final 23 years ago, also welcomed the news.

“Great news! Accidental verdict been squashed,” wrote Aldridge via Twitter. “IT HAD TO HAPPEN. A new investigation on the police as well. And that HAD TO HAPPEN too. YNWA.”