At least one key conservation and restoration project in Haworth still has a very long way to go, despite the village’s removal from the ‘at risk’ register.

This warning comes from John Collinson, of the Bronte Spirit group, which is working to renovate the rundown Grade II listed Old School Room in Church Street.

The property was built by Patrick Bronte in 1832 and was extended in 1850 and 1871. The building housed a school where Mr Bronte’s famous children – Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell – worked as teachers.

Bronte Spirit received £15,000 from English Heritage last year to fund replacement windows. But Mr Collinson said the building’s roof was in an extremely poor condition, adding the full restoration project could cost about half-a-million pounds.

“The building is seriously at risk because the roof is on its last legs,” he said. “It must be repaired within the next couple of winters – that’s how bad it is.

“We’re having to chase leaks around – as soon as we deal with one bit of the roof, it starts leaking somewhere else. We have a dehumidifier in there and we spend what we can to keep the water out.

“I’m very pleased we’ve received grants from English Heritage and Bradford Council, but we’re still only keeping the building going on a hope and a prayer.”