A ceremony in remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides took place at North Tyneside's Council Chamber. The event, hosted by the chairman of North Tyneside Council, Councillor Michael Huscroft, Mayor Councillor Linda Arkley and the borough's Holocaust Memorial Committee, culminated in the lighting of 100 candles.

The guest speaker, was Berlin-based Elke Gryglewski, 44, who works at the Memorial and Educational Site House of the Wannsee Conference – an exhibition aimed at educating people about the atrocities which took place during World War Two. She said: “I really looking forward to coming to North Tyneside it gives me a chance to meet some very interesting people, particularly from the Jewish community.”

Rabbi Dovid Lewis, Father David Russell and the Archdeacon of Northumberland Venerable Geoff Miller recited prayers during the multi-faith event.

Representatives from Northumbria Police and anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card also attended the event with representatives from both UHC of Newcastle upon Tyne and Newcastle Reform Synagogue.

There was a commemorative book for people to write a short message supporting the aims of day following the ceremony, before guests were invited to spend time in the council’s Holocaust memorial garden - the only one of its kind in the North of England, opened last year in memory of Anne Frank.