RELAXING in a Cutlass chair first owned by his great, great grandfather, 94-year-old William Wordsworth savoured some sunlight as it poured through the library window of historic Rydal Mount.

Enjoying his first trip to the region for five years, Bill Wordsworth took a tour of the villages and homes across the Lake District that have become synonymous with his family's name.

Visits to the famous William Wordsworth's birthplace at Cockermouth, Hawkshead Grammar School, Dove Cottage and the villages of Grasmere and Rydal brought fond memories of childhood holidays spent in the area - along with many visits since - flooding back for Mr Wordsworth.

And it also provided the perfect opportunity for him and his wife Gina to meet up with another family member - Susan Wordsworth-Andrew, trustee of Rydal Mount and the poet's great, great, great granddaughter.

"I remember staying in the Lake District when I was maybe six or seven and being allowed to take a donkey and cart to the station to collect guests' luggage," said Mr Wordsworth, who now lives in Canterbury.

"But I wasn't allowed to take passengers because the donkey liked to stop and eat in the hedgerow on the way back."

One of the highlights of this week's trip to the region for the family was a visit to the Wordsworth Trust's Jerwood Centre in Grasmere officially opened by poet Seamus Heaney in June this year.

"It was the most wonderful place," Mrs Wordsworth added. "And so interesting. We were very glad to have visited, we could have spent a long time there.

"But of course, staying here with Susan as our host is the best part, as always."

Though careful to point out he had not been a poet, Bill Wordsworth certainly made use of his family's creative genes while working in London.

William Wordsworth helped launch The Westmorland Gazette in 1818. Bill Wordsworth established a career as a journalist on several newspapers before going on to promote and publicise theatre companies in the capital.

With an office in the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, he produced ballets and operas as well as actor Sir Peter Ustinov's first play.

"We would like to perhaps return for another reunion next year or in 2007," said Mrs Wordsworth.

"We always have such a wonderful time here and it's so nice to come back and see everyone.