Stars to sing on Hillsborough track

A charity single to raise money for Hillsborough families will feature stars such as Robbie Williams, Beverley Knight and Mel C and will go head to head with The X Factor for Christmas number one.

A range of artists including Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith, Oasis drummer Chris Sharrock and The Clash's Mick Jones are joining together to perform a new version of The Hollies' hit, He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.

Robbie Williams's former song-writing partner Guy Chambers will produce the new single which will be released on December 17 with the aim of hitting number one in time for the festive season.

Proceeds from the single will go towards the Hillsborough families' legal costs in their fight for justice.

It comes in the wake of a damning report into the handling of the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans who died as a result of a crowd crush at Hillsborough Stadium in 1989.

Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram revealed the details of the new single in central London alongside Chambers and Liverpool football star Kenny Dalglish. Mr Rotheram said: "Because of the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report at long last people understand the truth and after truth comes justice and sometimes unfortunately justice costs. We are hopeful that the government will bear the cost of any new inquests that open into the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans, but if not, we want to ensure that there is pot of money that the families can call on that will pay for any legal costs in their fight for justice."

He said he believes any new single that is released should "knock the X Factor off the number one spot". "I am not a fan unfortunately, I hate that sort of manufactured nonsense that they push out and hope that people buy at Christmas. This is going to be a track of real musical integrity," he said.

Dave McCabe and Paul Heaton from The Zutons and the Cast's John Power are also taking part and other names are expected to be added in the coming days.

Producer Guy Chambers said: "I'm very happy with the artists we have already, but obviously I know Sir Paul McCartney was mentioned so if he did join our happy little band of talent then that would be amazing."

Kenny Dalglish said it is "fantastic" that "the music world has come together" to raise money for the Hillsborough families. He said: "Now the truth has come out, the support for the families is overwhelming and we just need to move forward and make sure they get the best result they possibly can now."