A new set of six postage stamps, to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Charlotte Bront, was launched yesterday by Royal Mail.

And getting a first view were staff at the Bront Parsonage Museum, in Haworth, where Charlotte died on Saturday March 31 1855, aged just 38.

The enlarged-size stamps were delivered by postie Simon Rourke, 30, of Cross Roads, who is studying for an English Literature degree at Leeds University.

Simon, a former pupil of Greenhead School, Keighley, has read Charlotte's Jayne Eyre and her sister Emily's Wuthering Heights.

He said: "I got into literature and when the opportunity came up to study at university, I went for it.

"It's a bonus that I have the Bronts right on my doorstep."

The stamps were designed by international artist Paula Rega and are from 24 lithographic prints she produced, inspired by the book, which have been exhibited around the world.

Museum education officer Andrew McCarthy said: "It fits in with our policy to create a centre of creativity based on and inspired by the Bront work. These stamps demonstrate how their work has had an enduring impact on people."

The enlarged stamps will go on display in the window of the museum.

The 1st Class stamp features Jane in the foreground as Thornfield Hall burns, while the remaining five stamps feature Mr Rochester (2nd Class); Jane alone (40p) and Jane with Adele, her pupil at Thornfield (57p).

The final two stamps show Jane as a child at Lowood School with other children (68p), and with Rev Brocklehurst and a member of staff (£1.12).