A MEMORIAL flame created by children from Verwood as a lasting memorial for the millions of Holocaust victims featured in a national exhibition.

The artwork created by pupils at Emmanuel CE Middle School in Verwood was unveiled in front of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a special launch in London.

Their artwork was chosen from across the country to represent each year since the liberation of Auschwitz.

It was one of just 75 pieces of art selected to feature in a national exhibition to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

And this was not the only way the school, which is part of Wimborne Academy Trust, marked the anniversary.

Its Year 6 pupils took part in special English, Art, History and Food workshops to produce work that related to the Holocaust.

Head teacher, Rob Christopher, said: “We were incredibly honoured to have our children’s work of art featured in this very poignant exhibition.

“It’s so important that young people today learn about the horrors of the Holocaust so such genocide is hopefully never repeated again.

“Our pupils have been incredibly touched by the stories they have heard and this has been perfectly portrayed in all of the moving work they have produced.”

Emmanuel was one of 300 groups from across the country registered to take part in the nationwide competition launched by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT).

The competition was held to encourage more people to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.

CEO of Wimborne Academy Trust, Liz West, added: “Everyone at the Trust is incredibly proud of Emmanuel for being chosen to be part of these national commemorations for the Holocaust.

“All of our 12 schools stopped to remember and mark this important anniversary, including a Holocaust survivor speaking to Queen Elizabeth’s School students.

“We will always remember and educate our young people about the Holocaust.”