Jack Straw wants an annual memorial day

Mr Straw said: "Holocaust Memorial Day will ensure that the horrendous crimes committed against humanity during the second world war are not forgotten by future generations.

He said details of exactly what would happen on the day are being finalised and would be announced via the website shortly.

It is expected that several senior politicians and a member of the Royal Family will pay respects to holocaust victims at a national ceremony in London.

Among those to be invited will be holocaust survivors and children from around the country.

The Beth Shalom Holocaust memorial centre supports the plan and its director Stephen Smith joined the Home Secretary at Monday's launch.

Future generations

"The lessons of the holocaust need to be spelled out again and again for each new generation," said Mr Smith.

As well as a national ceremony there will be a number of smaller events around the country to mark the memorial day.

A spokesman for the steering committee overseeing preparations for the memorial day said the website is aimed at coordinating events and plans.

As well as Jewish groups, ideas are being sought from organisations representing other minorities who were persecuted by the Nazis.

Several other countries, including Germany, have also chosen 27 January as an appropriate date to hold remembrance ceremonies.

Mr Straw said the day was intended to honour the memory of victims of genocide by the Nazis during the second world war.

"It underlines Britain's continuing commitment to opposing racism, anti-semitism, victimisation and genocide," he said.