The inquests into deaths of 21 people after the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 are to be reopened.

A Coroner in the UK has ruled a "wealth of evidence has not been heard" about the atrocities.

In a report Louise Hunt has also found evidence West Midlands Police did not respond to two potential warnings about the double bomb attack.

Louise Hunt's decision follows years of campaigning by relatives of those killed in the twin explosions.

She said "significant" new information had come to light about the blasts at the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs.

The coroner also stated there were two occasions where evidence supported claims the state had advance warnings of the attacks.

The IRA is widely thought to have been responsible for the bombings, which injured 182 people.

Ms Hunt said there was evidence that West Midlands Police had missed two potential warnings of the blasts, including a comment made by men linked to the IRA that "Birmingham would be hit next week".

The ruling has been welcomed by the group Justice for the 21 led by Julie Hambleton