FORMER IRA commander Martin McGuinness said it was 'shameful two young boys lost their lives' during the 1993 bombing.

The Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland Martin McGuinness has been speaking at the Peace Centre’s annual peace lecture tonight, Wednesday.

He told press he would be saying sorry to the people of Warrington during his speech.

Colin Parry, whose son Tim was killed in the IRA attack 20 years ago, said: "We work in peace building and reconciliation and we can't be a player in that arena unless we welcome all opinions."

Outside the Peace Centre a number of protestors have gathered opposing Mr McGuinness' visit.

Brian Hambleton, whose sister was killed in a Birmingham pub bombing, spoke on behalf of the group 'Justice for the 21' and said it was 'immoral' for Mr McGuinness to be speaking at a peace event.

He said: "We're not here to upset the people of Warrington but to  voice our own opinions on a man who can't talk about peace and it's immoral him doing so."