Dame Judi Dench appointed honorary president of Bronte Society

Heworth-born Dame Judi Dench has been appointed the new honorary president of the Bronte Society as it marks the bicentenary of Charlotte Bronte's birth.

The actress, who appeared in the 2011 film of Bronte's Jane Eyre, said she was "delighted" to be offered the role.

It is the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth Credit: PA

Dame Judi, will be officially voted in at the society's annual general meeting in June.

The society is currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Bronte's birth, on 21 April 1816.

The author, whose other works include Shirley and Villette, was the older sister of Branwell, Emily and Anne Bronte.

Next week's centenary will be marked by events at the Bronte Parsonage Museum, as well as a service at Westminster Abbey in London.

The Bronte Parsonage in Haworth, was the home of the Bronte family from 1820 to 1861 and gifted to the Bronte Society in 1928.