A WOMAN who survived the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau will share her story with students and residents in Dudley.

Mindu Hornick will speak at the town's annual Holocaust Commemoration at Dudley College on Friday, January 24 to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Mindu, who was born in a small town outside Prague, Czechoslovakia, was sent to the Nazi death camp in a packed cattle car aged 12-years-old.

She survived the camp but never saw her her mother or her brothers again.

Mindu, who moved to the UK in 1948, was awarded an MBE for Holocaust education and commemoration in this year’s New Year’s Honours List.

She will share her story at the commemoration which takes place every year and is organised by former MP for Dudley North Ian Austin and Dudley College’s Students Union.

The former MP said: "It is humbling that Mindu now spends her time teaching people about the Holocaust and I know many local people will want to hear her story.

“We will also hear from local students who visited Auschwitz with the Holocaust Educational Trust’s ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ programme and have contributions from local faith and civic leaders.

“It’s always a very moving dignified event, which allows us to honour the memory of those who died, understand where the evils of racism and prejudice can lead and dedicate ourselves to oppose intolerance and hatred wherever it is found.”

John Crabtree OBE, the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands; the Rt Revd Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester; the Mayor of Dudley, Councillor David Stanley and other civic and religious leaders will also attend the service, which is supported by the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The service will conclude with the ceremonial lighting of the Candle of Remembrance and a minute of silence to honour the victims of the Holocaust.

The event takes place at 12.30pm on Friday, January 24 at Dudley College’s Broadway Campus.

Residents who wish to attend should email dudleysholocaustcommemoration@gmail.com.