TOP CHILDREN’S writer Jacqueline Wilson will be the star guest during a week of family treats hosted by the Brontë Society.

The Tracy Beaker creator will speak about her work during a half-term full of activities at the Brontë Parsonage Museum and ending with a Halloween special.

The appearance by multi-award-winning writer Jacqueline, one of the nation’s favourite authors, has already sold out.

But there are plenty of other activities to keep visitors occupied throughout the school holidays, including short guided walks, museum trails and hands-on history sessions.

Museums At Night, a national celebration, will return to the museum at the end of the half-term holidays with two events.

Friday, October 28 will see the latest Parsonage Unwrapped night, which each month allows Brontë enthusiasts to see behind-the-scenes after-hours.

The latest event, part of the 200th anniversary celebrations for Charlotte Brontë’s birth, focuses on the Jane Eyre writer as an artist.

Charlotte was an accomplished artist and considered a career in art before she turned to writing.

Jane Sellars, curator of Harrogate’s Mercer Art Gallery and co-author of The Art Of The Brontës, will speak on the subject from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17.50 for adults, £15 for concessions, and include a glass of wine.

Spooky Storytelling is the title of a Museums At Night special on Saturday October 29 from 6.30pm to 8pm, which will allow visitors to explore the Parsonage’s atmospheric rooms by candlelight.

The spokesman said: “Listen to the grandfather clock strike the hour and hear the creaks and sounds made by the historic house after dark.

“Residents of the Parsonage will share ghost stories and village superstitions – make sure you bring a grown-up to hold your hand!”

This event is free to all visitors providing proof of residence in the BD22, BD21 and BD20 postcode areas and also to those living in Thornton, birthplace of the Brontës. Usual admission prices apply to all other visitors, and pre-booking is not needed.

The Brontë Parsonage Museum will continue its special events to mark the Charlotte bicentennial with a 2pm talk on November 1 entitled Early Responses To Charlotte’s Published Writing.

One contemporary review of Jane Eyre said it was admirable if written by a man, odious if written by a woman, and the talk will explore responses like this by early critics.

Visit bronte.org.uk/whats-on or call 01535 640192 for further information about activities.