More than 100 people from across Hertsmere joined for a candlelit parade and ceremony to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday.

The Mayor of Hertsmere, Councillor Paul Morris OBE, changed the usual programme of the annual event, previously held at the Civic Offices, in an attempt to draw more attention to the occasion.

Participants, who were marshalled by the Hertsmere Volunteer Police Cadets, paraded from Borehamwood Shopping Park along Shenley Road carrying candlelit lanterns.

The parade ended at The Ark Theatre, where a ceremony took place with local secondary schools, youth groups, councillors and religious leaders.

Councillor Morris said: "The candlelit parade and ceremony gave us a fitting opportunity to pause to remember the millions who have been affected by the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

"It's clear from the very positive feedback that I've heard from those who attended last night, that the occasion enabled all ages and sections of our multi-cultural community in Hertsmere to understand the relevance of these atrocities, even in modern times.

"Whenever we join together to remember those who died, I always draw breath when the terrible death toll hits home and I know many others felt the same last night. As an example, we had 6,000 lit lanterns at the parade last night - every lantern represented 1,000 people who were murdered in the Holocaust.

"We must continue to remember and to consider what we have learned as a result of what happened."