For the first time, the horrors of the Holocaust will be officially commemorated this weekend.

To actually walk round and see the actual places where all the people that went through the gates were murdered, and the pits where their ashes still lie, it was very horrific.

Tom Smith from Ringwood School

It has been over 50 years since six million Jewish people were murdered under Hitlers regime in concentration camps, during the second world war.

The special commemoration day is to ensure that the horrific events that were committed during the Holocaust are never forgotten.



Sixteen year old Tom Smith from Ringwood School went on a trip to Auschwitz with his fellow pupils in the hope that it will bring a greater understanding about a very dark part of the 20th Century.

Tom shared his experiences with BBC Radio Solent's Julian Clegg

The focus of the memorial day will be heightening awareness of the events during the Holocaust and to make people realise the relevance of it.

In the South the day will be marked with many special events that you can see listed on our events page.

Dr Jo Riley, lecturer in non Jewish relations at Southampton University, talks to BBC Radio Solent's Julian Clegg