But on Saturday, crowds gathered outside Ted Hughes's former home for its official opening as a writers' retreat and holiday home.

The end terrace was where the late Poet Laureate spent the first eight years of his life and the surrounding hills and waterways provided much inspiration to his future works.

The house has been transformed into a writer's retreat and holiday home so others can enjoy and be inspired by the same environment as Hughes himself.

More than £70,000 has been spent on recreating his former childhood home, in a 1930s style but with all mod cons, by The Elmet Trust, a not-for-profit organisation that runs the Ted Hughes Project in Mytholmroyd.

At the unveiling on Saturday, Hughes's widow, Carol said: "I think it's a very moving tribute to him. It's the right thing to happen to a house like this.

"It's been very difficult to strike a balance between not making it a museum but a place people could come and gain something from.

"The house has a lovely atmosphere and ambience, which will appeal to so many people and really help it fulfill what it has been created to do."

All proceeds made from letting the property will go to The Elmet Trust, which is hosting a seven-day festival, from October 22, to mark the 10th anniversary of Hughes's death.

His home will be open during the festival, as well as on other special occasions. For the rest of the time it will be used as a holiday cottage.

The Mayor of Calderdale, Conrad Winterburn, unlocked the front door and welcomed guests.

Relatives, friends and fans of Hughes travelled from across the country.

Katherine Rushworth, 21, of Warley, Halifax, said: "I'm so excited to be here. It's incredible that something like this has been created and I've had the chance to have a look around the home which provided so much inspiration to him."