Birmingham bombings: Coroner's inquest decision due

Video report by ITV News Correspondent Martin Geissler

On Wednesday, a coroner will decide whether to open a full inquest into the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.

Blasts in two of the city's pubs killed 21 people and injured 182 - while six men wrongly served 17 years in prison for the atrocities.

Despite the "Birmingham Six" having their convictions quashed in 1991, the real culprits - believed to be linked to the IRA - have never been caught.

Recently, a coroner said they had "significant new information" on the case that could help the investigation.

Paddy Hill, one of the Birmingham Six, hopes that after 42 years of "police lies" and "cover ups", the truth may one day be revealed.

The Birmingham Six were released from prison in March 1991 Credit: PA

Hill believes that the Bloody Sunday inquiry and Hillsborough inquest have helped his and other people's search for truth and justice.

He described the Bloody Sunday inquiry as the "key in the door" for upholding transparency, while Hillsborough had taken the door "off its hinges".

"The door is wide open now", he says.

Maxine Hambleton, who was 18, was killed in the Tavern on the Town pub Credit: Family handout