THE atrocities of the Holocaust were remembered in a solemn ceremony featuring poetry, dance, drama and music from the borough’s young people.

Radcliffe Civic Suite played host to a memorial event to the vicitms of the Holocaust on Monday – Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD).

Victims of subsequent genocides in Darfur, Bosnia, Cambodia and Rwanda were also remembered as young people from the borough’s secondary schools and colleges joined faith leaders, musicians and community members.

Held every year on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, the event aimed to tackle prejudice, discrimination, racism and hatred in the present day.

The theme for HMD 2014 was journeys – with the night featuring readings from the accounts of people who lived through the Holocaust and other atrocities.

Mayor of Bury Cllr Sharon Briggs said the ceremony was a “very moving occasion”.

She added: “I felt proud to take part in this commemoration service to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and to those who continue to lose their lives.

“The event brought the community together and gave a very important message, that we should never forget.”

Cllr Mike Connolly, leader of Bury Council, was joined by members of all parties in signing the Holocaust Memorial Day Statement of Commitment.

For more information on HMD go to hmd.org.uk