Holocaust Memorial Day was instituted by the Government in 2001 and the first service in Berwick was held that year when Berwick Borough Council chose to plant a tree in Berwick Parish churchyard and organise a service beside it each year.

Those present at this year's service named a place or people where genocide had destroyed lives and prayed for peace and tolerance at home and abroad.

Canon Hughes read out a statement, issued by church leaders as the country approaches a time of political elections and which Berwick Parish Church wholly endorses.

It read: "There is one God, one creation, and one human race. Therefore we cannot support any party promoting division and scapegoating of others.

"At the heart of the Christian faith is the oneness and commonality of all humankind, created in the image and likeness of God.

"We recognise and celebrate the rich diversity of our nation, especially here in the north east of England and we welcome each contribution made to our society by every single person, whatever their colour, creed or class.

"We affirm the reality of one human race and our belief in the fundamental unity of humanity, that is strengthened by its diversity."