One of the Bronte family's direct descendants will be making a visit to the birthplace of her famous ancestors for the first time this summer.

Carol Bronte, descended from the sisters' brother, Walsh, will be travelling from Northern Ireland in June to stay in the house in Market Street, Thornton, Bradford, where Anne, Charlotte and Emily are thought to have been born.

And as an expert in her family's history and writing, she will also be addressing the annual general meeting of the Bronte Society.

The visit was the idea of Mirfield councillor and trustee of the Thornton house Imelda Marsden, who met Mrs Bronte on a trip to Northern Ireland.

"It's a great honour that she's staying in the house.

"She's such an enthusiast about the family and it's brilliant to hear her speak.

"She's been to Haworth before but never to this house. She's thrilled," Coun Marsden said

Originally from Canada, Mrs Bronte went to Ireland to visit relatives where she met and married her second cousin, also from Walsh's line.

She now works for the Bronte Interpretation Society in Co Down.

And as a special surprise for the visitor, Coun Marsden is hoping to track down missing members of the Bronte lineage.

"Only four of Patrick Bronte's children had a family. One of them was Sarah whose daughter Rosa Heslip came over to Cleckheaton to look after her daughter Emily. She had married Hugh Bingham who was originally from Odsal. They had five children.

"They're the only ones of the Bronte line we can't find. It would be nice to try and find them before she comes."

If anyone has any information that may help contact Coun Marsden on (01924) 495849.

Rare Patrick letters under the hammer

Two rare letters by the Bronte sisters' father, the Rev Patrick Bronte, are to be auctioned for the first time.

Sotheby's of London expect them to fetch a total of £5,700 when they go under the hammer on February 24.

A Sotheby's spokesman said: "They are quite rare and will be sought after because of their content."

The first letter was written on February 1, 1844, four years before tragedy struck the parsonage in Haworth with the deaths of his son Branwell, aged 31, and Emily, 30, followed shortly by Anne, aged 29.

He writes about his concern over the bereavement of one of his parishioners living in Stanbury. This letter is tipped to fetch £2,500. In it he also refers to his inability to go out in the snow because of his weak eyes.

The second letter, dated April 1851, four years before the death of Charlotte at 38, is expected to make £3,200.

Rev Bronte is then 75 and asks the Rev A P Irwine, district secretary of the Church Pastoral Aid Society, about the renewal of his grant and his need for a lay reader.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.