An historic family home has beaten back competition to receive a national award for its outstanding work in education.

The Bront Parsonage Museum in Haworth has been given the Sandford Award for its excellent educational work.

Representatives from the Heritage Education Trust last Thursday presented the museum with the annual award, which recognises the provision of quality education in historic houses, museums and galleries.

Museum Manager Alan Bentley said: "It's good to get recognition for the excellent education work that goes on at the museum. It is important that we get national recognition for local organisations."

Previous winners of the prize include Blenheim Palace, the Tower of London and Canterbury Cathedral.

The judges praised the Parsonage's wide-ranging education programme, which caters for the whole community from school groups to adults.

The museum was set to receive the award at a ceremony in Northumberland in March but the event was cancelled due to the foot and mouth crisis.

Museum Assistant Stephan Whitehead gave a short talk on the Bronte sister's own education in the Parsonage garden prior to the presentation.