ON the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the Mayor of Warrington has lit a candle of remembrance at the town hall.

Cllr Wendy Johnson marked National Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place each year on January 27, to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Cllr Johnson said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a time for everyone to pause and remember the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.

"It gives our diverse communities the opportunity to unite, show our respect for all faiths and cultures and stand together against hatred.

"Together, we can ensure we learn the lessons of the past, raise awareness and understanding and challenge ourselves to work for a safer, better future for everyone."

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation by the Red Army of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and death camp.

A special exhibition is being launched at Warrington Central Library on Saturday, February 1.

The exhibition, entitled ‘No Child’s Play’, takes the form of a series of banners created by Yad Vashem, interpreting the subject through the eyes of Jewish children.

Loaned by LiveWire from the International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem, the exhibition will be at Central Library for two-weeks.

For more information on the Holocaust Memorial Trust, visit hmd.org.uk.