The Duchess of Edinburgh, who will be reading out a message on behalf of the King, observed the one-minute silence, as the city remembered those who lost their lives.

Skylar, a 16-year-old pupil from Bishop Challoner Catholic College in Kings Heath, took to the stage to perform A Million Dreams prior to the silence.

She is accompanied by fellow student Finn on the keyboard.

A one-minute silence is being held at the service.

Supporters across the city are taking part after calls were made for Birmingham to come to a standstill.

It's to remember the 21 killed and 220 injured 50 years ago in the atrocity.

The memorial service by New Street Station has started with an address from master of ceremonies Prof Gavin Schaffer.

He welcomed the families of the bombing victims and others in attendance.

“Here 50 years on, justice has still not been served,” he says. “Nonetheless we come together.”

He saluted the families and friends of the victims, members of the emergency services and taxi drivers who helped the injured.

He also saluted the Irish community, “who have done so much for this city and who as a result of that night found themselves victims of attacks.”

“The city was knocked on that night, damaged in so many ways,” he says. “But Birmingham’s spirit, its unity, its warmth, shone through then and now.

“We carry on together, united.”

Liz Gameson
BBC Radio WM

The Duchess of Edinburgh has arrived at the reception for guests attending the pub bombings memorial at Birmingham New Street.

The previous hubbub has quietened to a softer atmosphere as she makes her way around various groups

The duchess will be reading out a message on behalf of the King during the memorial service.

Kath Stancyzszyn
BBC Radio WM

Former West Midlands Mayor Andy Street has also backed calls for a public inquiry and says he hopes the Labour government, of which MP Jess Phillips is a member, will support one.

The former mayor says: "I still believe it's the right thing and I deeply regret that the previous government didn't get to award it and I hope that Jess's government will now do so.

"The reason for that is that it is an unsolved murder. Twenty-one people lost their lives and we still to this day do not know exactly what happened and who the perpetrators were.

"One of the principles of British justice is that you should get to a closure.

"You might now not be able to hold those acountable for it but I do still feel that that needs to be done."

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, West Midlands

It’s getting busier at Birmingham New Street where an invite-only memorial event will be starting soon.

This is the view from the press area. About 100 relatives and members of the public have been invited while dignitaries and VIP guests will be in a seated area under a marquee.

We’re expecting the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands to be in attendance as well as senior political and religious figures.

The service itself is expected to last just under an hour and will include a one-minute silence and performances. Birmingham Yardley MP and Home Office minister Jess Phillips will read out the names of the 21 victims.

Kath Stancyzszyn
BBC Radio WM

Jess Phillips has spoken about how the wrongful convictions that took place after the bombings for many years "drowned out" the names of those who were killed.

The Labour MP, talking about her "roll call of names" during the service, says: "The names of those who died got sort of scrapped from history."

The Yardley MP, whose father taught victim Maxine Hambleton, added: "What we have been trying to do for at least the last decade, with the families, is get those names back on the record wherever we can, so it is a real honour to read them."

Former West Midlands mayor Andy Street says there is still an unsolved crime that needs to be addressed, but there is also a positive side.

He says: "Those sort of tensions that were there when I was growing up - mercifully they are consigned to history.

"And actually today is a celebration of a city living basically at peace with itself. So there is something good that we reflect on as well today."

Paul Anthony Bridgewater, who lost his father Paul Anthony Davies, has spoken about how always wished he had got to meet him.

He has remembered how, when growing up, his friends' fathers would watch them play football and he said: "I always had that thought in the back of my head - my dad could have been here watching me."

Mr Bridgewater, who has previously called for a public inquiry, explained why he wanted one.

"There's so many unanswered questions," he said. "The only way we can get the truth is by getting this public inquiry."

He said it would stop all the theories going out there including people asking "was the state involved in it, did the police know about it, were there informants?" He said: "It would stop all that."

Image source, Getty Images

Jess Phillips will be reading out the names of those killed in the attacks at the New Street service, after the one-minute silence has taken place.

Labour's Birmingham Yardley MP, now a Home Office minister, is known for reading out the names of women killed by men on International Women's Day every year in the Commons.

Today, she will read the names of the 21 people who died in the pub bombings 50 years ago, as flowers are laid by former West Midlands mayor Andy Street and representatives of the families.

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, in Birmingham

I managed to catch Joe Cook for a quick chat earlier this morning.

The Birmingham musician has been commissioned to write a special poem marking the 50th anniversary of the bombings.

He will perform it for the first time at today's memorial service and says only three people have heard it so far - Julie Hambleton, his mum and his dad.

The artist tells me he feels a big responsibility in trying to reflect the voices of the 21 victims and will try to capture the mood on a significant anniversary.

"It's part of Birmingham history," he says. "Even though it's a brutal, horrible thing, it is a massive part of our city's history."

Kath Stancyzszyn
BBC Radio WM

Maureen Mitchell, who survived the explosion at the Mulberry Bush, is attending both memorial services taking place in Birmingham today.

"I think this’ll be the last significant big anniversary because a lot of us won't be around in another 10 years time for the next one," she says.

"I think today is really really important."

Maureen, who was 21 at the time of the atrocity, would meet up with her fiancé Ian in the Mulberry Bush most nights after work.

"We were just having a drink, the next thing [the bomb] went off and it was just chaos," she recalls.

"I just remember floating through the air and then landing and Ian actually got me out and got me in the first ambulance."

A piece of metal pierced her hip and lodged in her bowel, a section of which had to be removed.

"I was given the Last Rites on the night it happened," she says.

She spent weeks in hospital, but was discharged in time for Christmas, and back at work by the following February.

"I've heard of many people still to this day who still suffer mental health issues," she says. "It ruined so many lives.

"I've been lucky that I've had good people around me and good family and support."

Since remarried, with grandchildren, she would like to see more young people made aware of the bombings.

"I think it should be put out there and be part of the history of Birmingham," she says.

Between the two services, she plans to go somewhere quiet to reflect.

"It will be an emotional day," she says.

Read more of Maureen's story here.

Josh Sandiford
BBC News, in Birmingham

This was the moment a wreath was laid by football fans at a memorial for the victims at Birmingham New Street station.

It is there where a stainless steel tree sculpture stands and a memorial event will be held later this afternoon.

The group has been taking part in a six-mile (10km) walk around the city today.

The BBC was there as they paid their respects at Birmingham City's St Andrew's Stadium and the sites of both pubs.

Some of them have been supporting the Justice for the 21 campaign group for more than a decade while others have raised thousands through sponsored events to support the cause.

There were sombre scenes as the wreaths were laid and the people we saw and spoke to were visibly emotional.

Kath Stancyzszyn
BBC Radio WM

Modern History professor Gavin Schaffer is leading the service that starts at 13:45 GMT outside Birmingham New Street Station.

Speaking to BBC Radio WM, he said the event would allow people to pay their respects to victims, the injured and anyone "damaged in the Birmingham pub bombings".

The expected presence of the Duchess of Edinburgh indicated the significance of the occasion, he added.

"In many ways this is about one of Birmingham’s darkest days but out of that comes some really positive things.

"The way the community came together even on that day is something to commemorate and something to celebrate."

The IRA has never formally admitted responsibility.

In the 1980s, investigative journalist Chris Mullin said he had tracked down the real bombers.

But, he did not reveal any names until 2019 when he identified Mick Murray, James Francis Gavin and Michael Hayes.

He withheld a fourth name, which he has still not disclosed.

After campaigning from relatives, an inquest into the pub bombings victims' deaths reopened in 2019.

During proceedings, a person known as Witness O said Seamus McLoughlin, Mr Hayes, Mr Gavin and Mr Murray were involved.

Of those four, only Mr Hayes is still alive.

In a 2017 interview Mr Hayes would not comment on his role but said he took "collective responsibility" for the IRA's actions in England and apologised for the Birmingham deaths.

A fifth man, Michael Patrick Reilly, was named in 2018 by ITV's John Ware, external as one of two alleged bomb planters.

Read more here.

Football fans have arrived to place wreaths at the pub bombing memorial.

The memorial, close to Birmingham New Street Station, is designed to look like trees with the names of the 21 people killed carved into the leaves. The three steel trees were unveiled outside New Street Station exactly 44 years after the attack on 21 November 1974.

There are Villa fans and Blues fans present and others who have come from London and Belfast, who have all supported the Justice for the 21 campaign.

David Taylor, organiser of a memorial walk that fans have taken part in, said: "It's not us that gets the recognition, it's the families."

He said the bombings affected "all societies, all communities, all age levels, all religions, all beliefs - there's no boundaries to this".

Birmingham's Christmas Craft Market has closed for the day in observance of the 50th year memorial, which organisers described as a day of deep significance for the city.

A notice on Facebook, external said the closure was taking place "as we mark this important anniversary with respect and reflection".

Kath Stancyzszyn
BBC Radio WM

Image source, Family Handout

Bernie Mintz was 18-years-old and working as a chef in November 1974.

On the night of the bombings, he knocked off early and decided to treat himself to a pint.

He had his hand on the door of the Tavern in the Town when his girlfriend Sue's voice popped into his head.

The previous night, she had asked him to come home early if he could.

"I heard my girlfriend's voice saying, 'please come home to me tonight'. And I was guilt-ridden," he said.

So, Bernie decided to turn back and get the bus to her house in Hall Green.

Just as he was getting on the number 92: "This horrific bang went off and it shook the floor."

The bus driver told him to get on, closed the automatic doors, and drove away.

Bernie did not know what had happened, but by the time he reached his girlfriend's house, his family had seen the TV news flashes and were panicking.

"They were delighted to see me," he said.

"If my girlfriend hadn't have said that to me the night before, I'd have gone down for a pint and I'd be in that pub."

Bernie and Sue married in 1981 and he credits her for "saving his life".

Image source, Family Handout

BBC presenter Nick Owen talks to Birmingham school pupils about the 1974 pub bombings in the city.

The Duchess of Edinburgh will be among dignitaries attending a pub bombings memorial service outside Birmingham New Street Station.

The service, due to start at 13:45 GMT, has been organised by the Birmingham Irish Association for invited guests.

The duchess will be delivering a personal message on behalf of the King.

Bereaved relatives, survivors and community members will also hear from the Irish ambassador, and music from Bishops Challoner Catholic College in Kings Heath.

Attendees will gather by the pub bombings tree memorial sculpture outside New Street Station, where a marquee and small stage are being set up.

A one-minute silence will be observed at 14:00.

A second service, open to the public, starts at 17:00 at Birmingham Cathedral.