THERE cannot have been many days at the Hillsborough inquest, held in Birchwood, where there has been a dry eye watching proceedings unfold.

But anyone feeling anxious or upset need not fear.

Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Graham Spratt has been attending one day a week to ensure the families of victims and witnesses of Britain's worst sporting disaster do not have to feel alone during the process.

The professional lead for psychological therapies at 5 Boroughs said often for people attending the hearings, the reassurance someone is there if they need support is enough.

He added: “We work as a team and so far there has been someone here almost every day since the inquest started.

“We have had a lot of interest knowing we are here and often it’s enough for people to know there’s support.

“I received a phone call just a few days ago from someone who was anxious about attending but I was able to reassure them once they’re on site there would be someone for them to talk to which helped them a lot and with people coming from all over the country we can point them in the direction of their local services too afterwards."

The hearing into the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans began in March following original accidental death verdicts being quashed in December 2012.

Dr Spratt has been attending the inquest in the unique position of having been part of the original psychological team who dealt with families and survivors in the aftermath of the 1989 tragedy.

He added: “Generally speaking, the major issue for people is they have spent years coping with the reality of events without external acceptance of the reality of what did happen which is how this inquest came into being.

“Everyone has individual coping strategies and bringing such a major public event into action again activates memories which is a very emotional response and can trigger a lot of upset.

“But I’ve noticed the environment inside and outside the court room has been very supportive and people are finding the help and support of others which is perhaps why they have not been knocking on my door as much as you might think."

With the inquest stretching out in front of families well beyond its original estimated 12-month completion date, Dr Spratt expects a variety of different issues to creep up but adds the team will always be ready to support people.