YOUNGSTERS have been learning about the Brontes as part of a project on Victorian life.

Year-five children from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Keighley have visited the Haworth home of the legendary literary sisters and the landscape which inspired them.

The pupils took part in art and creative writing workshops at the Bronte Parsonage, with museum staff and artist Rachel Emily Taylor, a senior lecturer at Leeds Arts University.

The workshops were staged over two days.

As part of the opening session, the children were given an introduction to the history of the Bronte family and a tour of the museum and moors.

The focus then turned to art-based activities, including creative writing and charcoal sketching, to explore the workshop themes and local heritage.

The following day, Rachel visited the school to help develop the pupils' creative writing, culminating with a drawing and painting session.

Year-five teacher, Ben Palmer, said: "The visit to Haworth began with a meander into the lives of the world-famous Bronte sisters and this was followed-up with some outdoor learning as the children drew on Emily, Anne and Charlotte's inspiration by venturing up to Haworth moors. It was this bleak landscape that led the children to explore the hardships of Victorian life."

Arts Council England provided funding for the project.

Sue Newby, learning officer at the Parsonage, said the venture had been "a great opportunity" for the museum.

"It's not only given us the chance to work with artist Rachel Taylor – exploring the intriguing identity of Heathcliff through artwork and poetry – but has helped us to reach local children who may not have visited us before," she added.

"There's such a wealth of stunning landscape and unique heritage that we have to share in Haworth – not to mention our museum, once home to the Brontes, the most famous and fascinating literary family in history. All on the children's doorstep!"