Bronte guardians are dusting down precious artefacts in preparation for the 2007 season at the Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

Among items in a new exhibition will be a thimble and needlework box which were owned by Charlotte, author of Jane Eyre.

Museum manager Alan Bentley said: "The workbox was bought for the museum in 1933 but it has not been on display for some time.

"The thimble is interesting because it is so tiny and reflects how small Charlotte was - just 4ft 11ins."

The museum opens for the season on Thursday, February 1, from 11am-4.30pm daily.