Steadfast scousers and the Sun

For those that aren't familiar with the story, the Sun newspaper reported that Liverpool football fans pickpocketed crushed victims and urinated on police at the Hillsborough disaster in April 1989.

96 people died in the tragedy.

I'm not going to speculate on the validity of the claims made by the Sun, but the people of Liverpool staunchly denied them and were deeply offended.

The newspaper was immediately boycotted and its name is still frowned upon by many.

But I hadn't realised the the Sun was still such an unmentionable and unbuyable paper in the city nearly 20 years on. Offence is still taken by Liverpudlians when the disaster is mentioned.

For example, in November, Eastenders found themselves in hot water after a character linked Hillsborough to hooliganism. The BBC had over 1000 complaints.

So the disaster is still a source for stories, particularly in the local press.

And it's not just Liverpool FC supporters that hate the newspaper. Evertonians stand by their rivals, as well as non-football supporters, in condemnation of the Sun.

You can buy the Sun from newsagents, but there are far fewer copies than the Echo and national tabloids.

I have tried to dig around for regional sales figures for newspapers to provide solid evidence, but my research has proved fruitless.

I have still been buying the Sun while I have been up here on work experience (at full price by the way - is it still 20p in London?) but I have to fold it into another paper or put it into my bag to avoid stares and eyebrow-raising.

I have to admire the scousers for their support and solidarity, but I'm afraid I still need my daily fix.