STUDENTS and staff from a Crewe college joined millions around the globe to pay their respects to during Holocaust Memorial Day.

The annual event has taken place annually on January 27 since 2001, with a UK commemoration and more than 3,600 regional events taking place each year.

In Crewe, South Cheshire College commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day by welcoming music director and Holocaust speaker Michael Cretu from Romania.

Students gathered to hear stories about the Jewish and Romanian peoples’ experiences during the Holocaust, which claimed the lives of six million Jews.

“We were keen to look for something a little different this year and were delighted with the response from the students," Joanne Stewart, South Cheshire College learning services manager, said.

Michael shared testimonies and unheard stories from Holocaust survivors to staff and students in the college’s Centre Stage Theatre.

He also performed a number of folk pieces inspired by gipsy and Romanian folk music, followed by jazz from his late Uncle Johnny Raducanu who was considered the father of Romanian Jazz.

Ms Stewart said: “We are hoping to invite Michael back in the future so that more students and staff can be part of this wonderful commemorative event.

“We are also keen to engage as many students as we can in recognising and remembering the history of the Holocaust so will be featuring a Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition in our LRC for students, staff and visitors to be able to see over a longer period of time.”

Commemorative activities will continue at South Cheshire College during the first week in February where a Holocaust Exhibition will feature photographs, stories, DVD’s and books related to the day.