CIVIC and religious leaders joined members of the public to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Between 30 and 40 people stood in silence on the steps of Oxford Town Hall today to remember the victims of the Jewish holocaust and other genocides.

Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson gave an address, followed by Rector Bob Wilkes, left, and Penny Faust, right, from the Oxford Jewish Congregation.

Mrs Faust said: “One of the reasons I take part is that I think we still need to learn the lessons.

“The fact that there are still genocides happening shows we need to learn from it.

“It is always a moment of solemn reflection, not a time when you need to be desperately unhappy but when you need to think of the consequences of individual actions.”