HOLOCAUST Memorial Day will be marked in Christchurch this month.

An event will be held at 10am on January 29 at the town's Holocaust memorial on Christchurch Quay.

The programme will include prayers by the Vicar of Christchurch, the Reverend Canon Charles Stewart and Rabbi Jesner from the Bournemouth Hebrew Congregation

There will also be a wreath laying by the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Nick Geary, and local schoolchildren. Members of the public are welcome to join the event.

The memorial at Christchurch Quay was unveiled in 2015 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust.

This year's Holocaust Memorial Day has the theme ‘The power of words’, which will explore how language has been used in the past and in the present day to make an impact, whether good or bad.

Building on the participation of the Jewish Community in previous years, this year’s event takes the opportunity to extend an invitation to others in the local community who may have been affected by, or experienced genocide.

Cllr Nick Geary, Mayor of Christchurch said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity for us all to honour and remember those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, at the hands of an oppressive regime. It is vital that the lessons of history should be remembered to ensure we create a safer world for future generations.”

More information about Holocaust Memorial Day can be found at http://hmd.org.uk/