Hillsborough tribute looks set to beat X Factor's James Arthur to Christmas number one

Copies of The Justice Collective's charity single 'He Aint Heavy, He's My Brother' (PA)

The Hillsborough tribute single has extended its lead in the race for the Christmas number one.

The Justice Collective's version of "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" has shot 14,000 ahead of its rival, X Factor winner James Arthur, according to figures from the Official Charts Company.

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 who feature on the Justice Collective song, which is raising funds and awareness for the legal battle by families of Hillsborough tragedy victims.

Yesterday the High Court quashed accidental death verdicts recorded by the original inquest into the 1989 disaster. A fresh inquest has been ordered.

The Justice Collective single has now sold 146,000 copies. The number one will be announced on Sunday.

PA