Sir Titus Salt's great grandson believes his famous ancestor would be immensely proud to see how his groundbreaking model village had continued to thrive.

His direct descendant, Denys Salt, was on a special visit to the Victorian world heritage village to commemorate a historic occasion 150 years ago.

And as he toured the hugely popular site, he said that with flourishing Saltaire a home to everything from a developer of cutting edge television technology to an extensive David Hockney collection, the great benefactor would be feeling a great deal of satisfaction.

Mr Salt has been visiting the village of his ancestor from his home in Graz, Austria where he lives with his Austrian wife, Eva.

He said: "I think if Titus could see Saltaire now he would feel very proud and happy it was being preserved as a World Heritage Site.

"The college is still central to the village and that would have pleased him because education was very important to him."

He added: "I admire him greatly. I'm surrounded by him in Austria, where I've got photographs at home and even a bust of him."

Mr Salt's visit has seen him help commemorate the 150th anniversary of thousands of workers famously presenting Sir Titus with a token of their affection.

At 150 years to the minute since crowds gathered to present Sir Titus with a bust in his image, Mr Salt, 88, re-read his great-grandfather's original words of thanks at Bradford St George's Hall on September 20, 1856.

The informal event at Shipley College was a chance for Mr Salt to revisit the model village created by Sir Titus for his textile works and its employees.

He recalled his first Saltaire visit in 1953 - the village's centenary year.

"I didn't know what to expect," said Mr Salt, then resident in London and whose interest in Saltaire was awakened by his cousin and fellow BBC employee, John Salt.

"I had seen photographs, but as I stepped off the train I was quite overwhelmed, not knowing in which direction to go. I took a walk around Saltaire, alone, just taking in the views.

"I had been invited by the directors at Illingworth, Morris at Salts who gave me a length of material which I had made into a rather nice suit."

Although Mr Salt's immediate family was in the south, he made acquaintances which he maintained, sparking over half a century of regular visits to the village.

Mr Salt sought to explain Sir Titus' famous refusal to have drinking establishments within the village.

"You can understand why Sir Titus would have frowned upon his workers drinking," said Mr Salt.

"It would have been so easy to lose concentration when working the machinery.

"But in his will you will find he had a very good cellar of wine. He was very generous when it came to entertaining people.

"I would say that he enjoyed a drink privately - in fact, I've got some of Sir Titus' own drinks glasses."

Dave Shaw, an event organiser, said: "Denys is a charming man who's helped with research into Sir Titus Salt for 50 years and we are delighted that he has come especially for this event.

"He has a great many friends here at Shipley College and Salts Mill."

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk