PEOPLE in Wyre Forest came together to remember victims of the Holocaust in memorial services in Kidderminster and Bewdley.

Dignitaries and guests including ex-servicemen and politicians paid their respects during the poignant services.

In Kidderminster, Wyre Forest District Council leader Marcus Hart read the Holocaust Pledge on behalf of the authority.

Speakers included district MP Mark Garnier, who spoke of the importance of remembering all genocides while Councillor Fran Oborski talked about Witold Pilecki officer in Polish Underground “Home Army” who using false ID got himself arrested and sent to Auschwitz in 1940.

He then organised resistance in the camp including the building and operation of a clandestine radio, escaped from the camp in 1943 and who sent reports to the Allies about conditions in the camp.

Prayers were led by Canon Rev Rose Lawley of St Mary’s, Rev Nick Collison of Trinity Methodist, and representatives of the St Ambrose RC Parish, Our Lady of Ostra Brama Polish RC Parish and the Jewish Faith.

The Head Boy and Head Girl of King Charles 1 School laid a wreath of white flowers in memory of all child victims of the Holocaust while children from Kidderminster Polish Saturday School laid a wreath in memory of children killed in Nazi concentration camps in Poland.

Other civic dignitaries including Worcestershire County Council chair Anne Hingley, Wyre Forest District Council chief David Little and the town Mayors of Bewdley and Kidderminster, who laid flowers at the Memorial Stone.

Mrs Loree Napier, who came to UK on the Kindertransport, and her daughter and grandchildren laid flowers at the Memorial Stone and were followed by all those present.

In Bewdley, members of the Bewdley Branch of the Royal British Legion laid flowers at the town’s Holocaust Memorial Tree.

The red oak is situated in Riverside North Park in Bewdley.