A new set of six postage stamps, to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of Charlotte Bronte, is being launched by Royal Mail.

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

The enlarged stamps were delivered by postman Simon Rourke, 30 of Cross Roads, near Haworth, who is also studying for an English Literature degree at Leeds University.

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

He said: "I decided to take A-Level English out of interest and it all snowballed from there. 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 Brontes right on my doorstep."

The stamps were designed by international artist Paula Rego and are from 24 lithographic prints she produced, inspired by the book, which have been exhibited around the world. They were on show at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, last year.

Museum education officer Andrew McCarthy said: "It fits in with our policy to create a centre of creativity based on and inspired by the Bronte work.

"These stamps demonstrate how their work has 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 the Rev Brocklehurst and a member of staff (£1.12).

A joint commemorative service and wreath-laying will take place in Westminster Abbey and St Michael and All Angels Church, Haworth on Thursday March 31, the anniversary of Charlotte's death.

And on Friday, March 11 the opening of an exhibition entitled Leaving Home will feature a visual display projected onto the front of the museum.