A long-forgotten biography on the early life of Patrick Bront -- father of the famous Bront sisters -- is to be re-published.

Bront Society member Imelda Marsden has spearheaded the re-print of The Father of the Bronts, after a 10-year hunt for the original version.

It is to be launched at a special dinner in March next year.

It follows Mrs Marsden's successful appeal for financial help to pay for the project. Financial contributions have been made by the Bront Society, the Irish Bront Society, Bront Society members, Bradford area based organisations and individuals.

Copies of the biography of the Rev Patrick Bront, father to the three literary sisters, Anne, Charlotte and Emily, are to go to Kirklees Library and Huddersfield University and interest in acquiring editions has come from Bradford Library and the University of Bradford.

The book was originally published in 1897 by WW Yates, former editor of the Dewsbury Reporter.

Mrs Marsden spent 10 years hunting a copy, eventually discovering one at a rare book dealer's and buying it for £70.

The new edition -- 250 of which had been published by Smith & Little of Otley -- has an introduction by the Right Rev Stephen Platten, Bishop of Wakefield.

Money raised from the sale of the book and at the launch will go to Hollybank School, Mirfield, and to Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton, where the Bronts' cousin, Rose Ann Heslip, is buried.

Hollybank School, now a school for severely disabled young people, was originally Roehead School.

Charlotte Bront studied there when her father was Vicar of Hartshead before he moved to Haworth, where his daughters did all their writing.

Mrs Marsden said: "I'm so grateful for everyone who has helped. It has suddenly all come together.

Anyone interested in acquiring a copy at £15 should phone Mrs Marsden on 01924 519370.