Moves to save a museum which has a strong Bronte connection have been welcomed by the director of the Haworth parsonage which was home to the literary sisters.

Kirklees Council had proposed closing Red House Museum in Gomersal, where Charlotte Bronte’s close friend Mary Taylor lived, in an effort to cut costs.

After hundreds of objections, Council leaders pledged on Tuesday to keep the museum open for now – but reprieve is only temporary and dependant on a proper plan being drawn up within six months.

The Council is looking at ways of finding £116,000 a year to keep the museum up and running, which could include charging admission at museums across Kirklees.

Andrew McCarthy, director of the Bronte Parsonage Museum, said: “We are delighted at the decision.

“We were very keen to put forward our view that the museum should remain open and are happy to explore ways to develop closer links with Red House.”

Kirklees Council leader Mehboob Khan told the Telegraph & Argus said of the efforts to raise cash: “It’s about no options being ruled out at this stage. It could be introducing charges at Red House, charges at other museum sites across Kirklees, as well as income generation, such as being able to hire out some of our museums for functions.”

This would also look at reducing the museum’s overheads, such as staff costs.

Briarmains, the house Charlotte Bronte wrote about in Shirley, was based on Red House and some of the characters were thought to have been inspired by the Taylors.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk