Reproductions of an original portrait of the Bronte family and other scenes of Haworth have been uncovered in a chapel cellar in the Dales and donated to a local children’s charity for sale to the public.

They are part of a collection of ‘Vintage Views of the Yorkshire Dales, Bronte Country and Lake District’ painted by acclaimed artist, the late P B Rennison of York.

Thousands of these rare reproductions, in unopened boxes, were discovered in the cellar of the chapel at Barden Tower and have now been donated to the Bethany Hare Smile Foundation which raises money for sick and terminally ill children.

The children’s charity was launched a year ago by schoolgirl Bethany Hare, of Horsforth.

Since then the 13-year-old has organised numerous events, including her “Walk of Smiles” and most recent “Styles for Smiles” fashion show, that have so far raised £35,000 – £28,000 of which has already been donated to Martin House Hospice in Leeds.

“I’m hoping that people will support my latest fundraising Vintage Views venture by buying these reproduction prints, postcards and gift tags – either for themselves, family, or friends,” she said. “Or they could be bought by owners of gift shops, art galleries or museums to sell on as souvenirs to visitors and tourists visiting next summer for the early stages of the 2014 Tour de France.”

The prints were found among thousands stored in a cellar by John Chapman, who runs Yorkshire Crafts in Burnsall.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to Bethany’s Smile can log on to the charity website at www.bethanys smile.org Rawdon publicist John Rimington is helping with promoting the charity and anyone wishing to buy reproductions from the Vintage Views collection can e-mail him at john.riming ton1@btinternet.com for more details.