Shields: Today is the first day of the rest of my life

Liverpool fan Michael Shields has walked free after being pardoned of the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria.

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Rev James Jones, read a statement on behalf of Michael Shields at a press conference.

It began with tributes to campaigners, friends and family that had fought for his release.

It also said the last four years "were the hardest of my life" and that he faced a "hard battle to adjust to normality".

Shields himself also spoke briefly to thank supporters, saying he knew "I would never walk alone".