EMOTIONS have been running high for a Petersfield woman whose work brought her close to families who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough disaster.

Jan Parry spent two and a half years finding all the next of kin of the 96 fans who died in the 1989 football tragedy as part of her role providing secretariat support to the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

And she hopes that the inquest verdict that their deaths were ‘unlawful’ will bring some closure for the families.

“I hope it helps with their healing and they find some peace,” said Jan, who has just taken over as the first female chairman of the Petersfield South Downs Probus Club.

“I felt anxious the night before the verdict and wondered how those closely connected would be feeling and would it be a sleepless night for them.

“On the day of the announcement I?had a busy day planned chairing a Probus monthly meeting.

“I arrived just before 11am and the staff at the Half Moon pub kindly put the BBC?news on the TV. The jury had reached the decision of unlawful killing.

“I felt relief for the families involved who had been waiting through 27 years of previous inquests, inquiries and reviews to get to this result.”

It also brought back memories of her late husband and Everton supporter who was very interested in her work for the panel, which helped lead to the new inquests being held and two ongoing independent investigations.

As the only information professional on the secretariat, Jan had to deal with hundreds of documents.

And she is immensely grateful to the jury for making use of all their evidence.

“I felt overwhelmingly pleased that the jury, having sat for two years, had used all the evidence including documents, video, audio and cross examination of those involved to carefully reach their decision.

“Having just done an eight week jury service myself, I know how hard this is and the serious responsibility that is on your shoulders.”