Bronte Country Tour-ism is continuing to grow.

The organisation, establish-ed in 1996, has recruited four new members.

Its membership now totals more than 80.

Latest additions include bunkhouse development West-field Lodge, and Heart of Haworth Tours.

Westfield Lodge, on the moors between Haworth and Top Withens (the ruined farmhouse reputedly the inspiration for Emily Bront's Wuthering Heights), is due to open in March. It will provide accommodation for parties of up to 84 people in six rooms. There will also be a canteen/rest room, showers, and washing and drying rooms.

Heart of Haworth Tours, established by Holmfirth man Philip Lister, organises daily tours around the village. New for 1999 is a service for larger groups and coach parties entitled the Magical History Tour Village Walk.

Each Sunday Mr Lister guides visitors and local people around the Bront village. From Easter to the end of the year he plans twice-daily trips from Haworth's tourist information centre starting at 10am and 4pm.

The Heart of Haworth Tours business also provides 35- to 40-minute guided walks for visitors arriving by coach.

Mr Lister works for around 40 different coach companies on a freelance basis, matching his walks to the needs of each group. The Ilkley-born grandson of former Haworth policeman Harry Green, Mr Lister has previously led guided walks in Holmfirth. But the family link with Haworth attracted him to the village and sparked off an interest in the Bronts. "I give people a flavour of the village and point out things of historic interest," he says.

The other new recruits to Bront Country Tourism (BCT) are the Eureka! children's museum at Halifax and the Coniston Hall Hotel near Skipton.

BCT acting manager Debbie Hopkinson says: "I am delighted to welcome the new members and I look forward to working closely with them in the future.

"The main aim of BCT is to raise the profile of this fascinating and diverse area to potential visitors both in the UK and overseas. We need to continue to encourage local businesses such as these to join us and support this work."

For further details about joining BCT or the Haworth walking tours phone 01535 670700.

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