A MULTI-FAITH service marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of prisoners from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps will be held in Haverfordwest.

On January 27, 1945, soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz. Over 7000 prisoners awaited liberation in the main camp, Birkenau, and Monowitz.

The date is now internationally recognised as Holocaust Memorial Day.

It’s impossible to ascertain the exact number of victims who died in Nazi concentration camps, as many prisoners were never registered and much evidence was destroyed by the SS in the final days of the war, but it is thought at least one million – and up to 1.5million – people were killed. The vast majority of that number were Jews.

On Sunday, January 25, Haverfordwest will have its own remembrance service at the Picton Centre. Organised by Barbara Shone on behalf of Cleddau Community Arts, the service starts at 11am and will be attended by Secretary of State for Wales MP Stephen Crabb and AM Paul Davies.

“The service is open to all - all faiths, and all denominations - and remembers all holocausts,” Barbara explained. “There will only be one prayer, readings, music and discussion.”

The event will highlight the work of Sir Nicholas Winton, who is sometimes known as the “British Schindler”. He rescued just under 700 Czech children on the eve of the outbreak of World War II, and placed them with foster families in London.

“He kept quiet about what he had done for 50 years, but in the late 1980s a group of the children he rescued – who were by then adult British citizens – contacted Esther Rantzen,” said Barbara. “She brought the children and Sir Nicholas together in a studio, and he was finally recognised.”

Anne Frank’s diary and the experience of being a refugee will also be discussed.

For more information, call Barbara on 01437 767005 or e-mail b.shone124@btinternet.com