A RYEDALE-based bishop has received an honour from the Queen for his work with the Hillsborough families.

Bishop James Jones, 68, from Malton, has been made a Knight Commander (KBE) for his services after chairing the Hillsborough Independent Panel, which negotiated the disclosure of documents relating to the 1989 disaster where 96 men, women and children died.

Bishop Jones is now assistant bishop in the Diocese of York and lives in Burythorpe near Malton.

He said he was "very humbled and honoured" to be recognised at Buckingham Palace, but remained "mindful" of the injustice faced by relatives in the 28 years since the disaster.

"Although I've met the Queen on a number of occasions, nothing takes away from that extraordinary moment of being given the honour," he said.

"But of course although I'm very honoured, I'm also very mindful of all those who have been bereaved through tragedy and suffered injustice."

The panel's report, published in 2012, said a cover-up to shift the blame on to victims had taken place following the 1989 disaster.

Last April, a jury in new inquests found the 96 Liverpool FC fans were unlawfully killed and supporters were not to blame.

"Some time into the work of chairing the Hillsborough panel, the families said to me, this is the first time that anybody has really listened to us, this is the first time that anybody has taken us seriously," he added.

"So for them, the award to me is an award to somebody who took them seriously."

Bishop Jones is now working on a report based on the experiences of the families to learn from the tragedy and their battle for justice.