An open invite has been issued to a Holocaust memorial service in Chelmsford.

Organised between Chelmsford City Council and the Chelmsford Jewish Community, the commemoration will take place at at 7pm on January 26 in the Council Chamber at Chelmsford City Council, Civic Centre, Duke Street, Chelmsford.

Holocaust Memorial Day is the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. It is marked each year on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2015 is ‘Keeping The Memory Alive’.

Many faced perilous journeys in desperate attempts to escape the nightmare of the Holocaust; others were herded into ghettos and onto trains and into cattle trucks to be transported to their deaths.

This commemoration on 26 January provides an opportunity to learn and reflect on these tragic journeys and to hear the testimony of a survivor.

The event’s principal speaker for 2014 was Berek (Bob) Obuchowski, who unfortunately passed away in June this year.

As time passes there are sadly fewer survivors able to give first-hand stories of their terrible experiences, so we need to find other ways to keep the memory alive to ensure it cannot happen again.

The 2015 keynote speaker will be David Peterson. Born in Ozorkow, David is a Survivor of the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Bergen Belsen.

Chairman of the Chelmsford Jewish Community, Stan Keller, said: “In Chelmsford, Holocaust Memorial Day provides us with an annual opportunity to assess how far we have journeyed in promoting inclusion and diversity in our society.

"It also acts as a reminder to ensure that our communities remain safe and united and that we stand determined to root out all discrimination whether by race, religion, colour or gender.

"We must strive to prevent such horrific events occurring again.”

Admission to the commemoration is free but by prior reservation only.

Places are limited so please book early by calling 01245 475444 or by emailing equalityanddiversity@chelmsford.gov.uk.

Light refreshments will be available from 7pm.

There will be no admittance once the commemoration has started at 7.30pm.