A candle designed by sculptor Anish Kapoor has been lit by Jewish students in memory of Holocaust victims at the Board of Deputies.

Kapoor’s candle, the first of 70, was lit in the presence of Holocaust survivor Ben Helfgott and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, who described the ceremony as “poignant”.

Laura Marks, Senior Vice President at the Board of Deputies, said Sunday’s plenary was “particularly special” because the names of Deputies’ family members killed by the Nazis were read out.

“I hope these ceremonies spread out across the country, and shine a light on the darkness of the Holocaust,” said Pickles. “It is only through constant vigilance that we can hope to avoid atrocities like this occurring again.”

BOD Theresa May 13153