In the heart of a Bradford village lies the former home of a world-famous literary family.

But if you didn't know it was there, chances are you would miss it.

This is not Haworth, but Thornton - birthplace of the famous Bronte sisters, Emily, Charlotte and Anne, and brother Branwell. The family lived there for five years, from 1815, before moving to Haworth.

The modest Market Street house, now The Bronte Birthplace museum, attracts visitors from across the world - but many struggle to find it.

And it receives no funding apart from donations.

Now a campaign has been launched for better signage to the attraction, as part of Bradford's European Capital of Culture bid.

Novelist Barbara Whitehead, who lives in and runs the property, also wants to develop opportunities for writers of the future as part of the bid.

Barbara's dream is to convert a rundown property opposite the historic home into a visitors' centre and base for local writers. Once a shop and bingo hall, it is now derelict and covered in graffiti.

Barbara said: "It would be ideal for writers to meet and hold workshops.

"It's a spacious building with lots of potential. But because it's empty youths gather outside and despite me cleaning it, it gets covered in graffiti."

Barbara moved into the Bronte house four years ago and opened it as a museum a year later. It was divided into two houses but she had it converted back into one.

Barbara runs it with friend Bernard Mayston, pictured, and a handful of volunteers.

They clearly love running the place but, with no funding or official signage, it's becoming a struggle.

Despite being the Bronte children's birthplace - you can walk into the room where they were born and the nursery where they played - it has a much lower profile than the Haworth Bronte Parsonage.

"When people come they love it but unfortunately not many people manage to find it," said Barbara.

"I love people coming here and I love sharing it. But sometimes there are so few visitors it's not worth opening.

"We had a couple of American visitors yesterday and it took them ages to find it.

"Other places promote the birthplaces of people like Shakespeare and Robbie Burns - why not the Brontes?

"Bradford's bid to be Capital of Culture provides a wonderful opportunity to raise the profile of the district's attractions. We need to be proud of our heritage and put it on the map."

Bernard describes the house as the "Bethlehem of the Bronte story".

He said: "This is the crux of it all. Where else were three literary geniuses born in one room?

"Yet people think of the Brontes and they think of Haworth.

"All it takes to raise the profile is a few tourism signs."

The museum is like a family home, with clothes laid out on beds, toys scattered across the nursery and open fires burning in the original Regency fireplaces.

Walking into each room provides a fascinating insight into the Brontes' family life. Family portraits adorn the sitting room walls, while in the kitchen there's a tiny staircase used by the maids.

"I opened it to a group of tiny Japanese women and they all suddenly rushed up the stairs," said Barbara. "They wanted to take in everything about the place."

The nursery, with rocking horse and dolls house, is a large bright room which captures the magic of childhood.

"People feel warm when they come in here. You can imagine the children playing on the floor," said Barbara.

"The house is pretty much the same as when they lived here.

For Barbara, it's almost like sharing her home with the Brontes and she feels close to them. "They were very happy here," she said. But now she hopes to retire and is looking to sell the property to someone who can continue it as a museum.

"I'm 70 now and I need a break," she said. "I want to write a book about the Brontes' life in the house but I just don't have the time. I'm also planning to go to Japan to talk about the Brontes but it's difficult fitting it in.

"I love living here and am delighted when people come to visit.

"But we open every day and I need more time to research my writing.

"Bernard and I have some very good volunteers but not enough.''

Barbara would like to sell the museum and in the meantime would like someone to help out so she can have a break.

"It would suit a retired museum or art gallery curator," she said.For more details ring (01274) 830849 or go to www.brontebirthplace.org.uk