Brontës birthplace set to become cultural centre after donor steps in

The Brontës were a literary family that burned brightly but briefly in the 19th century literary firmament - Anne died at 29, Emily at 30 and Charlotte at 38. None of the sisters had children, though Charlotte was pregnant when she died, so there are no direct descendants of them.

- David Barnett

But now one person with a link to the family is helping to preserve the sisters' birthplace as a cultural and education centre.

Nigel West, a retired IBM project manager, has made a "significant donation" to the crowdfunding appeal that aims to transform 72-74 Market Street in Thornton, Bradford, into a tourist destination to complement the Parsonage in Haworth, West Yorkshire, which became the Brontë family home and is now a museum.

The Thornton house has been purchased after campaigners raised £300,000 from donations and grants, including a major one from the Bradford City of Culture 2025 fund.

Now the same amount is required to bring the Grade II*-listed building up to scratch and transform it into a tourist attraction and cultural education centre.

West, 63, of Pool-in-Wharfedale, West Yorkshire, has now joined the campaign. He traces a family connection to Charlotte, author of Jane Eyre and the last of the sisters to die, in 1855.