THREE groups are vying to take over a recently-closed museum with strong Bronte connections.

Kirklees Council invited expressions of interest in taking on Red House Museum at Gomersal in a community asset transfer, after the attraction was closed in December.

No details have been provided as to who the groups are and how they intend to use the building, but a decision is expected at the beginning of next month.

The Grade-II listed building was a victim of budget cuts.

The Georgian property belonged to mill-owner and banker Joshua Taylor, whose daughter Mary was Charlotte Bronte's friend.

Briarmains, the house Charlotte referred to in her novel Shirley, was based on Red House and some of the characters were understood to have been inspired by the Taylor family.