Literature lovers from around the world gathered in Haworth yesterday to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of one of Britain's greatest writers.

The life and works of Charlotte Bronte - the author of Jane Eyre - were remembered in a ceremony at Haworth Parish Church, where her father was parson.

Bronte lovers from far and wide attended the service conducted by the Rector of Haworth, the Reverend Jenny Savage.

Pearl Cragg, 84, who has been a member of the Bronte Society for more than 50 years and a life-long devotee of Charlotte laid the wreath.

Mrs Cragg, of Birkenhead, said: "I have been a lover of Charlotte since I was a little girl on my mother's knee. I like her style of writing, her descriptions are marvellous.

"I come to Haworth for everything that's on. I feel quite emotional about today."

Irene Truman, 59, of Skipton, has been a member of the society for more than 10 years.

She said: "I first read Jane Eyre when I was 11 and I was thoroughly taken up by creepiness contained in the story and the mystery.

"As an older person it's the romance and the sensuality of the book, and as a literary student I was taken up with the beautiful language and descriptions."

Readings at the service included recollections of the author written by her life-long friend Ellen Nussey, a poem by Emily Dickinson and an passage from Haworth Churchyard written by the 19th century poet Matthew Arnold.

A minute's silence was also held at the Bronte Parsonage where the family lived.

And in Westminster Abbey's Poet Corner another special wreath-laying ceremony took place, also organised by members of the Bronte Society.

Born in Thornton, Bradford on April 21 1816, Charlotte died in Haworth, aged 38 on Saturday March 31, 1855 of a 'wasting disease'.

She was pregnant at the time, and married to Arthur Bell Nicholls, the curate of the parish church.