The death at the weekend of Princess Margaret has evoked fond memories of her visit to Haworth five years ago.

The princess spent about an hour touring the Bront Parsonage Museum, viewing exhibits and chatting to staff.

Among those who greeted her on the day - March 18, 1997 - was the then vice-chairman of the Bront Society, Margaret McCarthy.

She and fellow society member Charles Lemon showed the princess around the exhibition.

Margaret - who now chairs the society - recalls that the royal visitor was especially fascinated by Charlotte Bront's original Jane Eyre manuscript, which had just been returned to the Parsonage after a 150-year absence.

She told us: "Princess Margaret sat at the table where the sisters had written their novels, and spent a lot of time looking at the manuscript.

"I met her upstairs, and I remember she was very interested in Charlotte's wedding bonnet and in a book which was on display.

"She asked a lot of questions, and mentioned that she had the Bront novels at home.

"She looked beautiful - her skin was lovely and her hair shone - and she was wearing a stunning red cloak.

"I was really taken with her, and I was deeply saddened to hear the news at the weekend.

"I don't think her death came as a huge surprise but it is still a shock, and for it to happen now - in the Queen's Golden Jubilee year - is particularly sad."

Large crowds - including children waving Union Flags - gathered outside the museum to catch a glimpse of the Princess, who was the first royal visitor to Haworth since the 1930s.

Before leaving, Princess Margaret spent about ten minutes browsing in the museum bookshop and signed the visitors' book, joining recent additions Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Thora Hird and footballer Eric Cantona on the list of famous Bront fans

She was presented with a posy by Katie Woolridge, granddaughter of a local shopkeeper.

A book of condolence has been opened at Keighley Information Centre, in the town hall, for the public to express its sympathy on the death of Princess Margaret.

This week council leader Cllr Margaret Eaton added her tribute to the princess. She said: "We were very saddened to hear the news of her death.

"The princess visited Bradford on various occasions and has attended performances at the Alhambra Theatre to the delight of everyone. Her most recent visit to the district was in 1997 when she came to Haworth Parsonage and the village.

"The council has opened books of condolence at City Hall and at area offices to enable people to express a personal message on this sad occasion for the royal family."