DOZENS of people gathered at Preston's Guild Hall foyer on Saturday to commemorate the country's first Holocaust Memorial Day.

Members of the public joined civic dignitaries and representatives from various organisations to remember those who perished in the concentration camps during the Second World War.

The national event was held on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz -- one of the most horrific death camps -- where thousands of Jews were slaughtered.

Preston's memorial day included an exhibition with displays and workshops featuring the Holocaust and other genocides with stands organised by the British Red Cross, Royal British Legion, Soroptimists and the police.

It also included church and school groups as well as the Racial Equality Council, 5th General Support Medical Regiment and the Jamaica Ladies Group.

The poignant event was organised in memory of the six million Jews who perished in the concentration camps during the Second World War -- a shameful time in history that still shocks and saddens people more than 55 years later.

The day was also a time for people to promote tolerance and anti-racism in our society in order to instill freedom and democracy for all people.

Preston's mayor, councillor Joe Hood, said: "I feel privileged to open this event and hope Prestonians will come and hear the speakers and listen to the voices of the young people of the town as they pledge their commitment to tolerance and understanding in the future."