The new manager of the Bront Parsonage Museum, at Haworth, sees taking over in the middle of the foot and mouth crisis as a challenge.

Alan Bentley, 37, has been employed to lead and develop the museum, which 12 months ago was at the centre of a storm over the resignation of the former director.

It was also £80,000 in the red and there was a slump in visitor figures.

The Parsonage was the early 19th century home of the three Bront sisters, authors Charlotte, Emily and Anne, and their wayward alcoholic brother, Branwell.

Mr Bentley, of Otley, said: "There could be better times to start in this job, but I am very fortunate to have a staff who have run the museum very well without a director. I will be looking to improve the visitor figures against a falling market nationwide.

"We are not satisfied with the 77,000 visitors a year and I will be looking to expand that over the next few years."

He was pleased that action had already been taken to balance the budget and the budget projection -- before the foot and mouth crisis -- was to make a small surplus, he said. In the future making a loss would not be acceptable.

For the last two years, Mr Bentley has worked for the Museum Documentation Association, advising people on information technology and museum records.

"My background means I come here with the ability to be able to stand back and see the regional and national picture.

"I have seen how a lot of museums work -- how some have been more successful than others.

"I have been in touch with a lot of initiatives and I hope to bring that experience to this museum."

He said that one of the first areas to look at was how to encourage more young visitors. The core age range at present was 35 and over.

The museum already had a splendid education section, but he hoped to make some of the exhibits more attractive to youngsters and families.

He was also aiming to develop closer ties with local industry and possibly secure sponsorship deals.

In April, last year, Mike Hill, 50, the former director, resigned from his job following his suspension pending an internal investigation.

The Bront Society never revealed details of the investigation to the public and Mr Hill also remained tight-lipped about the issue.

He is now in charge of Middlesborough-based Cleveland Arts.