Hillsborough single ahead in race for Christmas top spot

Copies of 'The Justice Collective: He Ain't Heavy...' single at HMV in Liverpool Credit: Press Association

The Hillsborough tribute single has extended its lead for this year's Christmas number one.

'The Justice Collective' have performed their own version of 'He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother'. Latest figures from the Official Charts Company show it has sold 14,000 more copies than its nearest rival, X Factor winner James Arthur.

Arthur's single 'Impossible' was ahead when sales figures were announced on Tuesday but it has lost ground over the past few days.

Robbie Williams and Sir Paul McCartney are among the artists on the Justice Collective song, which is raising funds and awareness for the legal battle by families of Hillsborough tragedy victims.

The Justice Collective single has now sold 146,000 copies.

The number one will be announced on Sunday.