Slices of literary history in the form of chippings from a tree planted by Charlotte Bronte more than 150 years ago are proving to be a money spinner.

The author of Jane Eyre was said to have planted the tree when she got married in 1854, and early this year it had to be felled because its roots were dying and it risked becoming a danger to tourists visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

But custodians of Bronte heritage at the family's former home hit upon the idea of chopping up the felled tree and selling portions off to fans.

So far they've raised more than £1,000 in just over a week, with one Bronte aficionado in the south of England pledging £100 for the specially-packaged piece of the Cyprus pine.

Demand has also been flooding in from Bronte fans throughout the world, but the first to get his slice from Bronte Parsonage Museum director, Alan Bentley, was William Callaghan, a Bronte Society member from Oxenhope. Mr Bentley said: "Members of the Bronte Society were asked to donate money to the conservation fund in return for this package of history - they have responded remarkably."

The souvenirs have been offered to society members in return for a donation of £5 or more. The money will go to the care and collection of Bronte memorabilia.

The original tree is one of a pair planted by Charlotte Bronte and her husband, Arthur Bell Nicholls, on their marriage. The other is still standing. A sapling grown from the felled tree has been planted in the same area.

Later this summer, a sculptor is to turn timber from the original tree into an image inspired by the Brontes. It is hoped the public will be able to see the work-in-progress at the museum.

People wishing to buy a piece of Bronte history should write to the Bronte Society Museum, Haworth, enclosing a minimum of £5 and a stamped addressed envelope.