A SERIES of events to remember those persecuted throughout the last century is to be held in Durham.

Holocaust Memorial Day, this Saturday, will be marked by a lecture and service organised by Durham Diocese, to be held in Elvet Methodist Church Hall, Old Elvet, Durham.

Paula Kitching, co-ordinator for holocaust and anti-racist projects at The Spiro Institute, London, will speak on child victims of genocide at 6.30pm, on the memorial day.

Her talk will precede a service at 7.30pm, led by the Bishop of Jarrow, the Right Rev Alan Smithson.

The service will include the Kol Hashirim choir and readings by representatives of Durham County Council and The Durham Light Infantry. Soldiers from The DLI were among British troops who liberated the Belsen camp - where Anne Frank died - in April, 1945.

Sam Randall, diocesan ecumenical officer, said: "Paula Kitching is an excellent speaker who has researched extensively the fate of child victims of the holocaust.

"I am particularly pleased that she agreed to come to Durham to speak on the UK's first Holocaust Memorial Day."

Durham County Council has adopted the Anne Frank declaration, making a commitment to promoting tolerance, creating healthy and safe communities and opposing bigotry.

The story of the liberation of Belsen, including the role of The DLI, is told at an exhibition at County Hall, until Wednesday.

Alongside will be an exhibition by schoolchildren commemorating the holocaust and an exhibition on the life of Anne Frank.

A holocaust memorial book can be signed at The DLI Museum, Aykley Heads, at the same time. Meanwhile, an exhibition about the Jewish way of life will run at Newcastle's Discovery Mus-eum until February 11.

Curator Graham Bradshaw said: "One of the main aims of the exhibition is to fight racism and promote understanding between faiths and it is particularly significant that it coincides with Holo-caust Memorial Day.