TUESDAY will mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and Highbridge has been selected to take part in a national initiative.

Members of the Highbridge War Memorial Trust will come together at the Frank Foley Statue to mark the anniversary by lighting one of 70 candles. They will also be reflecting on those lost to the Holocaust, and honour the survivors.

Joyce Curtis, chairman of the former Frank Foley Committee, will light the candle during the service. The candle has been commissioned and designed by Sir Anish Kapoor.

His candles will also be lit at a national commemorative event in central London and at Auschwitz as part of international commemorations.

The Highbridge War Memorial Trust was chosen from hundreds of applications sent to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, which is responsible for marking Holocaust Day in the UK.

Event organiser Joyce said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important focal point in the year and we are delighted that Highbridge has been selected to be part of this nationwide commemoration.

“It is vital that we remember and reflect upon the horrors of the past, and honour those who survived.”

All are welcome to attend the event around the Frank Foley Statue in Market Street on January 27 at 12pm.

Cllr Peter Downing, chairman of Sedgemoor District Council and Mayor of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council cllr Martin Cox will attend.

Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said: “Sir Anish Kapoor has created a beautiful candle to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

“When all 70 of their candles are lit throughout the country, it will be a poignant moment of remembrance and a time for us all to ensure we keep the memory alive.”

For more information about the Holocaust Memorial Day and the events taking place, visit hmd.org.uk or follow the trust on Twitter - @hmd_UK For more information about the Highbridge event, contact Joyce Curtis on 01278-792716