CHILDREN from schools in Grays were among those who took part in the annual commemoration service in the town's Palmers Rest Garden today (Thursday, 27 January) to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Pupils from Belmont Castle Academy, Grays Convent High School and Woodside Academy read poems and prayers at the service which was led by Rev Canon Darren Barlow and celebrated this year's theme 'One Day'. Young people from Lansdowne Primary Academy, Hathaway Academy and The Prince's Trust also featured at the event.

Borough mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick, together with communities portfolio holder Cllr Deb Huelin and ward councillor and Labour group leader Cllr John Kent were also in attendance.

Cllr Huelin said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is a day for everyone including the Thurrock community to remember the victims of the Holocaust and further genocides, including the Jewish people and millions who have been targeted because of their disability, faith, gender, culture and sexual orientation. 27 January also marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

"This year's theme, One Day, gives us the opportunity to reflect in a number of ways, such as the hope that there may be One Day in the future without genocide.

"Other ways that this theme can be interpreted include looking at One Day in history to explore further or thinking about One Day when life changed for the victims of genocide. I also encourage you to light a candle on the evening of 27 January in remembrance."

Cllr Kent spoke about the importance of the engagement of young people in the event and recalled previous commemoration days and visits by borough students to Auschwitz-Birkenau.