People from different religions mingled at a ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Rabbis, an Imam and representatives from a host of Christian churches were joined by Mayor of Barnet Councillor Hugh Rayner at St Mary-at-Finchley church in Hendon Lane.

The day was organised by Lynn Radnedge of Churches Together in Finchley, and was also attended by Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer.

Scrolls which were rescued from desecrated Jewish synagogues during the Nazi regime were on display as well as special tributes from members of the Junior Church, in Hendon Lane.

The commemoration also marked the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, in which more than 8,000 Bosnians were killed.

The service has been held annually at the church for the last six years in honour of two if its members, the late Erika Maylam and her sister, Gisela Meier, who came to England as part of the Kindertransport in 1939.

Ms Radnege said: “Erika inspired us to remember that Christians were also caught up in the atrocities.

“Her mother married a Jew and when she refused to divorce him she was taken to Ravensbruck concentration camp.”

The service spoke of hope and tolerance and people were invited to light candles in memory of those who died.

There was also a special memorial dance featuring young Israeli dancers.