The special multi-faith ceremony at Burnley's Peace Garden heard from speakers who read out excerpts from holy books and pledged to "never forget" the appalling chapter in history which was the inspiration for the memorial. As part of National Holocaust Memorial Day, on January 27th, the day Auschwitz Concentration Camp was liberated by Russain Troops in 1945, the annual service is held to remember everyone who lost their lives in camps of the Second World War and other worldwide atrocities.

The Burnley Sea Cadets and Air Cadets stood to attention and lined the path to the war memorial during the ceremony, introduced by the Mayor of Burnley's chaplain, Canon Tom Bill of St Peter's Church.

During the ceremony, the mayor, former Burnley MP Mr Peter Pike, Rabbi David Braunold, of the Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation, Shahida Iqbal, of the Building Bridges Project and Mr Mark Woodward, a Fellow of the Imperial War Museum in Holocaust Education and Educator for the Holocaust Educational Trust, laid wreaths and flowers at the war memorial in remembrance of the victims.

Canon Bill spoke of people's "horror and revulsion" at the far-reaching acts of violence committed during the Holocaust, and said: "We recognise that men and women are still victims of hatred and injustice throughout the world, especially on account of their race or ethnicity.

"May the memory of all that people suffered in the last century and continue to suffer now, strengthen our efforts for peace. May the memory of those who died inspire our service to the living."

Readings and prayers were also heard by Shahida Iqbal, the Rev. Keith Richardson, of Ightenhill Methodist Church, Mr Pike and Fr Michael Waters, of St John's Church.

Rabbi Braunold, who spoke the 23rd Psalm in Hebrew, concluded that education was one of the most important things in the battle against intolerance and said: "The importance of keeping together no matter what faith, creed or colour, will lead to everlasting peace."