DOVES were released into the air this morning (Thursday) as the borough of Welwyn Hatfield marked Holocaust Memorial Day.

The birds, a symbol of peace, were set free at the end of a special service was held at the Reiss Memorial in Parkway, WGC, from 11am.

After an introduction by borough mayor Howard Morgan, speeches were made by the Rev Richard Pyke, the rector of Hatfield, and Reynold Rosenberg, chairman of WGC Synagogue.

Pupils from Sir Frederic Osborn School and Monk’s Walk School in WGC also gave readings.

The service concluded with a one minute silence, before the doves were released.

Holocaust Memorial Day has been held on January 27 every year since 2001.

The date was chosen as it was on this day, in 1945, that the Soviet Army liberated the largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.