RESIDENTS in Burnham and Highbridge braved the cold weather to remember the victims of the Holocaust at a special service.

The service, which was organised by Highbridge War Memorial Trust, was held by the statue of Major Frank Foley to commemorate World Holocaust Day.

The statue was erected in 2005 to commemorate the Highbridge-born British secret service officer who helped more than 10,000 Jews escape Nazi Germany.

On Monday (January 27) Reverend Dan Crouch of St John’s Church led the service, which was attended by deputy mayor of Burnham and Highbridge Cllr Peter Clayton and councillors from Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, and councillors laid flowers and paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

Councillors and residents laid candles at the foot of the statue of Major Frank Foley, students from local schools read out heartfelt prayers and a two minute silence was observed to remember the fallen.

The service comes a year after former Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made a speech and unveiled a bust of Major Foley alongside Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich at the annual Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration event at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.