THE horrors of Hitler's persecution of the Jews will be remembered in Durham City to mark the UK's first Holocaust Memorial Day later this month.

Tomorrow, county councillors are expected to agree proposals for a programme of events to take place on Saturday, January 27.

The day is intended to ensure that crimes against humanity committed during the Holocaust are not forgotten.

It will be marked by a national ceremony and local events, including a programme drawn up by the council.

A number of activities are planned for the newly reopened DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery.

This would include the display of a small exhibition telling the background to Anne Frank's story and the opportunity to sign a Holocaust memorial book.

An additional exhibition would look at the liberation of the concentration camp at Belsen.

In April to May 1945, soldiers from 113 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment helped liberate the camp.

The exhibition will tell the story of the humanitarian work which DLI soldiers carried out with 50,000 inmates.

Durham Learning Resources have researched available educational material about the Holocaust and will be buying appropriate material for loan to schools.

A Holocaust Memorial Day page will be developed on the county council's website, which will include information on Anne Frank and the DLI, a memorial book and links to related websites.

It is hoped to hold a series of writing and reading events linked to Anne Frank's Diary, at the DLI museum and local libraries.

Work produced by children who visited the recent Anne Frank exhibition, at Durham Cathedral, may be displayed.

Students at New College Durham are planning a performance of The Jewish Wife.

Councillors are also expected to adopt a statement of commitment calling on people to remember the Holocaust, but denounce its evils.