The brother of world-famous Bradford artist David Hockney has taken a trip down memory lane on a visit to the city.

John Hockney asked Telegraph & Argus readers for stories about his parents and siblings for a book he is writing on the family name. He was amazed to receive around 30 replies.

John, who has lived in Australia for the past 37 years, is now in Bradford visiting the people who wrote to him.

The 62-year-old said he has learnt a lot about his family members from people who responded to his appeal - including a former girlfriend from his teenage years.

He said: "I am really grateful to everyone who has taken time to help me with the book, the response has been tremendous. I am trying to get round as many people who knew my family as possible in the short time I am here and finding out a lot."

John was especially pleased to find out more about his grandparents from the Bradford Archiving Service.

He heard from Edna McMahon, who remembers his mother making her a night dress to wear in a production of Peter Pan when she was ten. Mrs McMahon still has the ticket for the show, staged in Eccleshill.

He also reminisced with Alex South - who works at Salts Mill in Saltaire where some of David Hockney's paintings are displayed - about his father Kenneth's role in the Peace Pledge Union, CND and his personal campaign against smoking.

"In Bradford at that time there wasn't always a lot of money around but there was a lot of enthusiasm and spirit, and this was reflected in my family."

John, a professional story teller, was giving three story-telling sessions today in the second-floor bookshop at Salts Mill, at 11am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Anyone wanting to help his research can write to 6 Vale Street, Levra, New South Wales, N780, Australia or send an e-mail to jokni@ozemail.com.au