Addressing the main Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony in London, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Justin Welby spoke about his recent visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau and its "witness is to appalling human suffering caused by the terrible collusion of the silent majority.

"Whilst Jews and others were caricatured and vilified by unscrupulous politicians and venal newspapers, there was an unquestioning acceptance by ordinary people."

Politicians, faith leaders and student ambassadors and Shoah survivors were among more than 1,000 people at the ceremony.

Actors including Jim Broadbent, John Simms, Chelsea Halfpenny and Sheila Hancock read excerpts from Holocaust-related literature, some live on stage, others in short movies which were screened.

There was also a poetry reading from a representative of the Romany community - more than one million Romany were murdered during the Holocaust.

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis told the audience: "It's not just what you think or say that counts but what you do that will change the world."