A group of 18 teenagers from Wiltshire were among 200 A-level students who visited the infamous Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau yesterday, as part of a Government-funded initiative to ensure the atrocities of the Holocaust are not forgotten.

The students, two from each sixth form school and college across the south of England went on a one-day trip to Auschwitz, in Poland called the Lessons from Auschwitz Project, to understand the pain and torture that more than six million people went through at the hands of Adolf Hitler's racist army.

Of the huge number of students who went on the trip, there were students from nine Wiltshire schools.

Two of the students, Emma Fullarton and Kerena Sheath from Clarendon College and specialist language centre in Trowbridge said the trip was an experience that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Year 12 student Emma, 16, of Newhurst Park, Hilperton, said: "It was an amazing experience that will stay with me for a life time.

"Although it was very sad and shocking at times I learned a lot and am looking forward to passing on my knowledge throughout my upcoming project work so that people don't forget the Holocaust.

"Overall I'm pleased I came and would highly recommend it to anyone else, because hearing truly is nothing like seeing."

The trip was one of several organised each year by the Holocaust Educational Trust with the £1.5m in funding from the Government.

It aims to show students the horror of what happened to millions of Jews, Polish nationals and gypsie,s as well as other prisoners to make sure that the genocide is not forgotten and history will not repeat itself.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "HET's Lessons from Auschwitz Project is such a vital part of our work because it gives students the chance to understand the dangers and potential effects of prejudice and racism today.

"The project encourages them to act on what they see and learn, and the inspiring work they go on to do in their local areas demonstrates the importance of the visit.

"With the support of recent Treasury funding, we are excited to be expanding the programme to enable many more students to experience this life changing Project." For more information on the trust log on to www.het.org.uk