AN ANNUAL day of remembrance will be marked in Dorset – when residents will be urged: 'Don't stand by'.

Holocaust Memorial Day on Wednesday, January 27 remembers the victims of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides around the world.

Two Dorset residents – the celebrated actress Dame Harriet Walter and Holocaust evacuee Harry Grenville – will be attending local events

The date of January 27 is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp.

More than six million people lost their lives during the Nazi state-sponsored extermination programme. Millions have since had their lives destroyed by genocides committed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

In line with this year's theme of ‘Don’t Stand By,’ events will draw attention to individuals' responsibilities not to be bystanders to hate crime and prejudice.

A memorial service will take place in Princess Diana Gardens, Radipole Park Drive, Weymouth with a service beginning at 10.30am at the Holocaust memorial tree, planted near to Alexandra Bridge and donated by local resident Tony Hamm.

The service will be hosted by Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Christine James with prayers and a reading being led by the Mayor’s Chaplin, Father Richard Harper of St Paul's Church, Westham, and joined by religious faith representatives from the local community.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. Local councillors and Friends of the Parks will also be represented.

Cllr James, who is the borough council’s social inclusion spokesman, said: “This local service is a chance for people to come along and join members of the community in paying their respects to the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.”

As well as the service on Wednesday, January 27, a Holocaust Memorial Day display will be at Weymouth Library from January 25 to February 1. The display has been set up by Barbara Cohen of the South West Dorset Multicultural Network and friends.

The network has also organised a free event on Friday, January 29 at Dorchester's Corn from 12.30pm-1.30pm. There will be a range of speakers including Harry Grenville – a local resident who escaped Nazi persecution by coming to the UK as part of the Kindertransport initiative and Dame Harriet Walter who will be giving a reading.

Doors open at noon and everyone is invited to join the network for light refreshments and to look at the displays.

Cllr Alan Thacker, West Dorset District Council’s spokesman for Community Safety & Access, said: “This event gives people the opportunity to learn about this terrible time from a more personal point of view. I am pleased that the council can facilitate learning about significant events such as this.”

For more information about the Dorchester event, contact Emma Scott on 01305 252204 or escott@dorset.gov.uk.

For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk