All nine residents that died in the Haut Du Mont flats explosion have been formally identified, police say.

Those that died are: 

Ken Ralph and Jane Ralph, aged 72 & 71

Billy Marsden, aged 63 years

Derek Ellis and Sylvia Ellis, aged 61 & 73 years

Raymond (Raymie) Brown, aged 71 years

Romeu De Almeida and Louise De Almeida, aged 67 & 64 years

and Peter Bowler, aged 72 years.

Families released pictures of the victims while they were still missing.

The flats on Pier Road were destroyed when an explosion ripped through the block in the early hours of Saturday 10 December.

The search and rescue operation was moved to a search and recovery operation the day after, when specialist sniffer dogs showed no sign of life from the rubble.

Police say that they continue to support the families affected by the tragedy in the next steps so that they can begin to make funeral arrangements.

Officers expect that inquests will be opened on Friday 30 December, but will be adjourned while the investigation continues.

The cordon around the site will remain in place into the  new year as specialist scientific work is being carried out which is expected to last several weeks.