Charlotte Bronte is, of course, legendary for her writings.

But a lesser known side of the Jane Eyre author can now be seen – on items ranging from bookmarks to fridge magnets!

Haworth’s Bronte Parsonage Museum – one-time home to the famous family – launched a range of merchandise on Monday based on three botanical watercolours painted by a young Charlotte between 1830 and 1832.

“Studies show she was a young girl with great talent,” said a Parsonage spokesman.

“She exhibited some watercolours in Leeds and had early ambitions to be an artist.

“Almost 200 drawings, watercolours and miniatures survive, and the botanical works are amongst her most popular.

“Despite her skill in capturing the beautiful flowers, Charlotte was not a keen gardener. The Parsonage garden was reportedly ‘nearly all grass and possessing only a few stunted thorns and shrubs’.

“Instead, Charlotte would have taken inspiration, as always, from books.”

The merchandise designs include wild roses, painted when Charlotte was just 14, and a study of heartsease and blue convolvulus, painted two years later when she was away from home at Roe Head School.

To mark the launch of the new range, a botanicals workshop is being staged at the museum on October 5, from 11am to 4pm.

Adult education tutor and botanical illustrator, Imogen Collins-Thomas, will lead the session, which will use Charlotte’s drawing and painting techniques to create images.

Tickets are available, priced £15.

Contact Sue Newby on 01535 640185 or via susan.newby@ bronte.org.uk to book.