Two men have gone on trial accused of plotting to cause the explosion in London's Docklands two years ago.

The court was told an enormous bomb killed two people and brought an 18-month IRA ceasefire to an end.

The two men arrived at court amid tight security

Thirty-year-old James McCarldle has pleaded not guilty to three charges - the murder of two men and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

His co-defendent, 34-year-old Patrick McKinley, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Opening the case for the prosecution at the Old Bailey, John Bevan QC told the jury that on February 19, 1996, an enormous bomb exploded at South Quay in Canary Wharf, east London.

Mr Bevan said: "Inaccurate and, from the point of view of timing, wholly inadequate warnings were given by telephone to a number of people.

"Sadly, a police officer who was on the scene early did warn two men in a newsagent's close to the suspect lorry to leave.

"They did not act immediately on his warning and within a few minutes were killed instantly when the bomb went off."

Inam Bashir, 29, and John Jeffries, 31, died instantly when the bomb exploded outside their shop.

Mr Bevan said it was the prosecution's case that McKinley played a part in converting a lorry that was used in the bombing.

McCardle's role, he said, was more central. His finger, thumb and palm print had been found on a number of exhibits.

"The prosecution allege that he is a central figure, playing a crucial role in the delivery of the bomb to South Quay."

Mr Bevan said a meticulous investigation traced the lorry in which the bomb was placed back to Northern Ireland.

It had been converted from an ordinary open-backed lorry to one capable of concealing a large bomb.

After a practise run a month before the bombing, the lorry returned loaded with explosives.

Mr Bevan said McCardle was inextricably linked with both lorry journeys.

The trial is expected to last up to six weeks.

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