Events are taking place across Birmingham today to mark 42 years since the Birmingham Pub Bombings. Twenty one people were killed and 182 were injured when blasts ripped through the Tavern in the Town and Mulberry Bush pubs on November 21st 1974.
Birmingham Pub Bombing campaigners say they feel 'held to ransom' in their struggle to secure legal funding for upcoming inquests into how their loved ones died on this night in 1974.
Speaking ahead of today's 42nd anniversary, lead campaigner for Justice for the 21, Julie Hambleton, said that without legal representation at the first hearing next week, it will be impossible for families to take part.
They been battling with the Government for months to secure a funding package similar to that given to the Hillsborough Campaign, but have had their requests turned down.
Julie Hambleton, along with other family members, last night attended a preview reading of a play based on the life of a man for years they believed had killed one of their loved ones, 18-year-old Maxine Hambleton.
Paddy Hill was one of the Birmingham 6 wrongly convicted in 1974 for the explosions which tore through two city centre pubs. Now a campaigner against miscarriages of justice, he has once again been in the city to renew his support in the continued fight for justice by those searching for the truth. Chris Halpin reports.
The 21 people murdered by terrorists in the Birmingham pub bombings are to be given the posthumous Freedom of The City.
This year the group successfully campaigned for inquests to be resumed which were opened in 1974 but never completed.
Six men were wrongly convicted for the bombings, Paddy Hill was one of the Birmingham 6, and now a play is showing about his life.