IT IS 60 years since the horrific events of The Holocaust were first revealed to the world.

And the six million Jews and children who perished are to be remembered in a week of events in Lancaster.

NCBI Lancashire - an organisation dedicated to ending all forms of prejudice and oppression - is commemorating the plight of millions murdered in the concentration and death camps during the Second World War.

It hopes to make sure The Holocaust is never forgotten - and never repeated.

The group has been holding events in the city annually but says that for the 60th anniversary commemoration all next week the emphasis will be on survivors, resisters and rebuilding.

Judith Keshet, of NCBI, says that in addition to lighting candles in memory of the Jews persecuted by the Nazis, groups such as travellers, trade unionists, the disabled, gays and lesbians will also be celebrated.

The string of events kicks off on Sunday (January 23) with 'Building Bridges' at Lancaster University, a workshop exploring anti Semitism and how it operates today.

On Tuesday, the Dukes, Lancaster, will get in on the commemoration by screening Roman Polanski's acclaimed film The Pianist, chronicling the survival of one man in Nazi occupied Poland.

To round off the week, a candle vigil will be held in the Memorial Gardens next to Lancaster Town Hall from 6.45pm until 9pm next Thursday (January 27).

Anyone can attend to light a candle to commemorate groups targeted during the Holocaust and affirm their determination not to let it happen again - and there will also be a music and cultural event in the Town Hall afterwards.

* THE NCBI is the National Coalition Building Institute, a training organisation which has been working for 20 years to eliminate prejudice and conflict across the world.

The Lancaster branch or 'chapter' is one of many that sees members working as a team to offer programmes to deal with prejudice and community tensions.