Poets in North Herts are invited to submit their work to mark Holocaust Memorial Day this month.

Ahead of this year's memorial, North Herts Council is asking for poems of up to 200 words, inspired by this year's theme 'Fragility of Freedom', to be submitted by Sunday, January 14.

The writer of the winning poem will receive a £10 gift voucher for Bow Books in Royston.

They will also be invited to read their poem, or nominate someone to read it for them, at the council's Holocaust Memorial Day event on Friday, January 26.

To submit a poem email community@north-herts.gov.uk.

Cllr Alistair Willoughby, executive member for community and partnerships at North Herts Council, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day provides an opportunity to remember everyone affected by the Holocaust and other terrible acts of genocide, and learn from the past – and as we’re all too aware, sadly learn from the present as well."

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The day gives people space to remember the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, the millions of people killed by Nazi persecution of other groups, and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.