THE MILLIONS killed in acts of genocide across the world are to be remembered across Wigan and Leigh.

Saturday January 27 is Holocaust Memorial Day and marks the 56th anniversary since the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp by the Russian Army.

Although the word holocaust has been used to mean the mass killing of Jews and others by the Nazi regime in Germany in the Second World War, the Memorial Day aims to call attention to the dozens of acts of genocide in other parts of the world in the 20th century.

Wigan council leader Lord Peter Smith fully supports the day. He said: "Now at last there is an International Campaign to End Genocide who have set up this Holocaust Memorial Day. They are trying to set up an effective early warning system to alert the world and especially the United Nations about potential ethnic conflict and genocide.

"The main problem is that genocide is almost always carried out by a country's own military and police forces. The usual national forces of law and order cannot prevent it. I hope that our Government will support these efforts to the full.

"Here in Wigan I am sure that all citizens of the borough will want to associate themselves with these efforts and this special Memorial Day."

Silver birch trees will be planted in Mesnes Park, Wigan by Mayor of Wigan, Cllr Mrs Joan Hurst today at 11am in the heather garden near the cafe, and in Firs Park, Leigh, by council leader Lord Smith at 2.30 pm. Both ceremonies will be followed by some readings.

An exhibition of a symbolic maze called "With Us In Mind" will be on display in Mesnes Park Cafe between today and February 5 on weekdays from 12 noon - 2 pm and at the weekend from 12 noon - 3 pm.

Material produced by the Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre and work by Bedford High school pupils will be on display in Leigh Library until February 24.

Wigan's reader in residence Stephen Lythgoe will present readings and music to commemorate the Holocaust on January 27 between 1 and 2 pm, at Golborne Library on January 30 between 2 and 3 pm. He will be at Hindley Library on February 7 between 2-3 pm and at Beech Hill Library on February 15 between 10.30 and 11.30 am.