Costumes from Sir Cliff Richard's musical Heathcliff, inspired by Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, are to go on show at the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

The coat worn by Cliff, who played Heathcliff in the hit West End musical, and dresses worn by Cathy, his tragic lover, will form the centrepiece of the display, due to be launched early next year.

The outfits will be on permanent loan to the museum and have been specially selected by the pop idol.

Curator Rachel Terry said: "Sir Cliff was extremely enthusiastic about the costumes coming to the museum.

"We couldn't take all the costumes from the show - we haven't the room - so he picked out the ones he wanted to come here."

As well as Heathcliff's coat, there are three costumes worn by Cathy - a ball gown, day dress and riding outfit.

There are also two dresses worn by the character Isabella Linton, Heathcliff's wife, and the costume worn by Edgar Linton, Isabella's brother.

"They are very impressive and I'm sure people will be fascinated to see them," said Rachel. The musical was performed in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh in 1996 and 1997 and was co-written by Sir Cliff and Frank Dunlop, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by John Farrar.

The musical does not follow the book exactly and Sir Cliff includes an episode telling how Heathcliff makes his fortune in the three-year period he is away from home.

"Emily Bronte doesn't tell us what he did to make his money. He simply comes back cultured and with wealth," said Rachel.

There was some criticism from the critics about the production, but it was well received by the public, she added.

Sir Cliff contributed to a book, compiled by Parsonage staff, featuring comments from well-known artists about how they were inspired by the Brontes.

In it he says: "Had there been no Elvis, there'd have been no Cliff. If there'd been no Emily Bronte, there'd have been no Heathcliff.

"Elvis inspired my career. Emily provided what for me was my most satisfying and successful artistic achieve- ment."