Sinn Féin deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness is to attend his first Northern Ireland match during the European Championship.

The republican leader will watch the high-profile fixture against Germany in Paris, the final group game.

He will also be at the Republic of Ireland’s face off against Italy.

The gesture follows repeated symbolic efforts by Mr McGuinness to reconcile with unionists.

A spokesman for Stormont’s Executive Office said: “The deputy First Minister is planning to attend the final group stage fixtures, Northern Ireland versus Germany and the Republic of Ireland versus Italy.”

Northern Ireland’s first game is against Poland in Nice on the sunny south coast on Sunday.

Pubs were packed with flag-waving supporters while the fan zone was full to capacity before France kicked off the Championship.