A SERVICE is being held to mark Holocaust Memorial Day today (Thursday).

The national event has been held annually since 2001 on January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

It offers people the chance to remember the six million Jews, two million Gypsies, 15,000 homosexual people and millions of others murdered under Nazi persecution as well as genocides worldwide in places such as Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

To mark the occasion Cheshire East Council is sharing a pre-recorded service, led by borough Mayor Cllr Sarah Pochin, who will light a candle on behalf of the Cheshire East community.

The service also features council leader Cllr Sam Corcoran and a personal testimony from deputy leader, Cllr Craig Browne, about his work with the Roma community in Romania.

It concludes with a prayer from Fr Michael Morton of St Winefride's Church in Sandbach.

It is the 10th year running the council has held a Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration service, this year because of the pandemic in the form of a recorded service instead of a live event for residents.

Cllr Corcoran said: "Many years may have passed since the horrendous atrocities committed during the Holocaust, but the impact and devastation caused is still felt across our communities.

"It's crucial for us to come together during this day to not only unite and reflect on the unspeakable acts committed during this period, but to reinforce how vital it is that we speak up at the first sign of abuse, discrimination, racism and segregation, and embed a safe and open culture for our residents."

Cllr Browne said: "The 27 January is an important date in the calendar to come together and remember the unspeakable acts committed during the Holocaust by mankind.

"I would like to invite and encourage residents to join us in the online service of remembrance and reflection, as we pledge to do all in our power to create a safer, better future for all."

The service can be watched via this video link.

An online ceremony is also being held for Holocaust Memorial Day, on Thursday 27 January from 7 to 8pm. Anyone wishing to attend will need to register for the event via the memorial website.

Following the online ceremony households are encouraged to join in with the national reflection, by lighting a candle at 8pm and displaying it their window, to remember those who were murdered, and to unite and stand against prejudice and hatred today.