A Holocaust survivor was recognised in the New Year’s Honours for his work educating people about the Nazi genocide.

Zigi Shipper, 85, was awarded a British Empire Medal for his work with the Holocaust Educational Trust over the past 20 years.

During the Second World War, Polish-born Mr Shipper was taken to Lodz Ghetto in 1939 and in 1942, the Jewish community in the ghetto were deported to a concentration camp.

Mr Shipper managed to jump off the lorry and escaped back to the ghetto and when he was 12-years-old, the ghetto was liquidated and Mr Shipper and the other Jews were taken to Auschwitz-Berkenau, a concentration camp in Danzig, Poland.

He was freed from the camp by British troops in May 1945 and after being brought to England in 1947, he married a French Jewish woman called Jeanette and he has been married for 55 years and has had a family of his own.

He now lives in Oundle Avenue, in Bushey, and speaks about his experiences in schools across the country with the Holocaust Education Trust.

He said: “It was a great honour for me, my children and my grandchildren. People shouldn’t forget and that is what I do. It’s very important for a Holocaust survivor that we are able to do it.

“Life is so short and I have been doing this for 20 years and I honestly love doing it.

“People ask why do we do it and I say why not? I will keep doing it.

“If my mind is fine but my body stops working, I will come in a wheelchair to do it.

“Why shouldn’t I be happy? I have a great life and a proud life.

“The more people know about the Holocaust the better. We do it for free and I truly love doing it.”

The Holocaust Educational Trust have been working with Mr Shipper and other survivors to educate and teach schoolchildren about the war.

Karen Pollock, MBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “As we approach the end of this year’s 70th anniversary commemorations, what could be more fitting than honouring the survivors in this way.

“These inspirational men and women, who have been through so much, continue to share their stories so that future generations know about the horrors of the past.

“Thousands of lives have been changed because of the tireless bravery of these remarkable people. We are absolutely delighted at this news.”