The central London pub is due to reopen its doors nine weeks to the minute after the device exploded on 30 April.

The bar in Old Compton Street, centre of Soho's gay community, will open at 1837BST, following a short ceremony beginning at 1815BST.

The pub's owner, Scottish & Newcastle Retail, said the ceremony will include a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the blast.

17 seriously hurt

Pregnant Andrea Dykes, 27, from Colchester, Essex, was killed instantly when the bomb tore through the pub on a crowded Friday evening ahead of a Bank Holiday weekend. Her husband Julian, 25, was seriously injured.

Four-months-pregnant Angela Dykes died in the blast

Their friend Nik Moore, 31, was also killed instantly while John Light, 32, best man at their wedding, died in hospital.

At least 65 other people were hurt in the attack, 17 seriously, including the manager of the pub. Mark Taylor, 31, suffered extensive burns, a nail was found in his arm as well as other shrapnel and glass injuries.

Other local businesses in Soho had said they would not let the bomb attack destroy the area, and opened up again as soon as police reopened the street on the following Sunday.

Thousands attended a number of vigils for the victims, both in nearby Soho Square, and later in the gardens of St Anne's Church in Soho.

The Prince of Wales saw for himself the devastation caused by the explosion when he toured the area.

David Copeland, a 23-year-old engineer from Cove, Hampshire, has been remanded in custody, charged with murder and causing an explosion.