Young people, faith leaders and survivors joined together in Bury to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The annual event which is the 22nd of its kind in the town, commemorates victims of the Holocaust and hears from people who have lived through atrocities and genocides.

Tomorrow, Saturday, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and is an occasion to remember the six million Jewish people killed in the atrocity.

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This year’s theme is "The Fragility of Freedom", which highlights the ways perpetrators target individuals, communities and means of expression.

The Bury service, held last night, Thursday, at Bury Town Hall, was led by borough mayor, Cllr Sandra Walmsley.

She said: “We have all been able to attend here tonight (Thursday) through personal freedoms, which through history have been taken away from ordinary people by others, whether that be the freedom of choice or expression, of movement, the freedom from fear and persecution.

“As we meet tonight (Thursday), we recognise that throughout the world not all communities are able to experience these freedoms.

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“Freedom is fragile in nature. As such it is upon us to seek to protect, to nurture and to ensure the conditions do not exist to allow these freedoms to be eroded.”

Holocaust survivor Ike Alterman BEM, who lives in Whitefield, gave a first hand testimony and memorial candles were lit, dignitaries signed a statement of commitment, with music provided by Bury Music Service.

Readings and tributes were read by pupils from a number of Bury schools, including Unsworth, Woodhey, Elton, Derby, Elms Bank, Hazelwood and Bury Grammar.

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Cllr Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “Bury is home to people of all faiths and none, and we need to bring people together so we can learn about and understand each other better.

“It is essential that we remember atrocities like the Holocaust and other genocidal events and remember those who suffered.

“But we must also learn from the stories we have heard today and put into practice what we have learned into our own lives and our own communities and make Bury a place where we all may live in peace.”