A TAUNTON man has been appointed to head up an investigation into the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool football fans died.

Assistant Commissioner Rob Beckley will lead Operation Resolve, which was set up in December 2012 to look into the full circumstances surrounding the planning and preparation for the the events on the day of the FA Cup semi final on April 15, 1989.

Mr Beckley succeeds Jon Stoddart, who stood down in September for health reasons.

Following the announcement, Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “I am pleased to appoint Rob Beckley to this vital role. He brings a wealth of experience from a long career in policing to Operation Resolve.

“Everyone involved in Operation Resolve remains clear that their work is continuing apace and it remains on schedule.”

Mr Beckley, who has been appointed to the Metropolitan Police as Assistant Commissioner in order to head up Operation Resolve, retired in March as chief operating officer at the College of Policing.

He previously served in the Met, Thames Valley, Hertfordshire and finally Avon and Somerset Police, where he was Deputy Chief Constable.

He said: "I take over an investigation that has already achieved a great deal, especially in providing substantial support to the inquest process.

"I pay tribute to Jon Stoddart and the team he put in place, for their contribution during that period.

“My first priority will be to ensure that our case files are submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service by the turn of the year. From what I have seen so far it looks like we are on track to meet that deadline.

“I have already been introduced to many of the Hillsborough families and I look forward to working with them in the future.”