They came from as far away as America, New Zealand and South Africa.

And for some it was the first time they had met.

The huge get-together of nearly 60 descendants saw four generations of the Llewellyn family re-visiting Saltaire, their spiritual home.

The dynasty began when James and Esther Llewellyn brought their family to Bradford in the 1920s when work in the Cornish tin industry began to dry up.

They settled in Saltaire, with most of their seven children working at Salts Mill.

Almost 80 years on, none of the family lives in Saltaire. But the village still holds a special place in their hearts and was the natural place to stage the huge reunion.

Guests ranged from James and Esther's daughter, Esther King, 85, who now lives at Heaton, to their great-great-grandchildren, Megan Whitehead and Connor Whittingham, from Keighley. Others included the only member of the family still bearing the name Llewellyn -- Brian, another of James and Esther's grandsons, who lives in South Africa -- and Tony Watmough, from New Zealand.

Mr Watmough said: "I lived for a short period in Titus Street but haven't been back for 23 years. There are a lot of people I've never met before. It's fantastic."

Mr Llewellyn, 67, who left the area 50 years ago, said: "It's great to meet up with so many relatives. Some I have never met."

The reunion, which culminated in a party and dance at Victoria Hall, was staged to celebrate the silver wedding of the Saltaire settlers' grandson, Ian King and his wife Barbara, who live in the USA, and their daughter Alison Esther's 21st.

But the day also had its poignant moments. The family was given a guided walk of Saltaire with the group pausing to unveil a bench outside Victoria Hall, dedicated to Esther King's husband Ellis, who died earlier this year, aged 85.

Later the family gathered on Baildon Moor to scatter his ashes.