An 81-year-old grandma who survived the holocaust has spoken of her traumatic experiences at a memorial day in honour of the tragedy.

Rachel Levy was guest of honour at a Holocaust Memorial Day on Friday January 27 at Croydon Town Hall, Katharine Street.

Mrs Levy, who is originally from former Czechoslovakia, fled her country ahead of Nazi invasion in 1939 but was captured in 1944 and sent to the infamous Auschwitz concentration camp.

Picked for the gas chamber by Angel of Death Dr Josef Mengele, she escaped back to the camp and survived until 1945, when the inhabitants were marched to Belsen ahead of advancing Allied forces.

Mrs Levy, who lives in Bromley, spoke about her experience to help awareness of the tragedy.

The ceremony was the culmination of a month-long series of events arranged by Croydon libraries to remember the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, as well as subsequent genocides.

Events included a Hidden Histories photographic exhibition on the ground floor of the Central Library, featuring photographs of Holocaust survivors and objects significant to their lives, and a public candle lighting ceremony in the main foyer on Friday.

The exhibition was accompanied by a musical performance by Croydon and South Norwood Community Choirs, and readings and drama performances from borough school children.