A JOINT Charlotte Bronte birthday and Fair Trade eight-mile spring walk takes place this month.

The event on April 21 will follow the historic route taken by the Brontes from their birthplace in Thornton to their home in Haworth in 1820.

A Bronte Society spokesman said: "Walking across the exposed moorland familiar to the Brontes, will hopefully provide inspiration for some creative writing on the theme of gender equality and social reform.

"The Bronte sisters initially wrote under male pseudonyms to be accepted in the literary world of their day, and today Fair Trade standards help ensure that women producers and workers in developing countries can have equal rights and opportunities."

The walk is being organised in conjunction with Bradford Fairtrade zone and will form part of the International Festival of Fair Trade Walks, which this year has a literary theme.

Rita Verity, of the Haworth Fair Trade campaign group, said: "It will be a free walk to take part in and most of it will be off-road.

"The walk will end at the Old School Room, in Haworth, where walkers will be provided with Fair Trade refreshments."

There will also be a talk there on Patrick Bronte and his campaigns for social justice.

On the same day at the nearby parsonage museum there will be a range of informal talks about Charlotte Bronte to mark 201 years since her birth, and a writing workshop with local author Glynis Charlton.

Start time for the walk is 9.30am for 10am at St James Church, 300 Thornton Road and the expected arrival time in Haworth is 2.30pm.

The Bronte Society spokesman added: "The walk will be accompanied by local Bronte and history experts, and will go via the house in Thornton’s Market Street where Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne Bronte were born.

"The route will cross open moorland and may be very rough and muddy underfoot, so suitable clothing and footwear is essential. People should come prepared for all weathers."

Participants are welcome to turn up in Victorian-style clothing, and will be offered a 50 per cent discount for entry to the parsonage museum.

Call 01535 647776 or visit bronte.org.uk for further information about the event.