The Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer, which has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and led to two movies, revolves around the relationship between heroine Belle Swan and Edward Cullen, the vampire she falls in love with.

Comparisons have been drawn between their relationship and that of Cathy and Heathcliff in Brontë's 19th century novel set in Yorkshire, Wuthering Heights - especially as Swan emerges as a Brontë fan in the third of the four-book series.

Now publishers in France are reporting a surge in popularity in Wuthering Heights among young female readers who are fans of Meyer's work.

Sales of the French translation of the book: Les Hauts de Hurlevent have surged - increasing by 50 per cent last year and even faster since the release of the Twilight movie in January.

A spokeswoman for Le Livre de Poche , the publisher of the French translation said: "We have sold as many copies of Wuthering Heights in the first two months of 2009 as we usually sell in a whole year."

"We are on course to sell several tens of thousands of copies this year, which is exceptional. The enthusiasm has prompted a lot of bookshops to put Brontë on display next to Stephenie Meyer, and that has obviously encouraged people to buy both of them."

French internet chat forums have also seen discussions of Brontë's work with one poster saying: "I dream of going to the place where the novel is set, in Le Yorkshire beaten by the wind."