IT was a gathering with a Twist on Saturday when more than 80 descendants of Charles Dickens came together – many for the first time – in the Dickens museum in Doughty Street, Holborn.

The clan,  had travelled from across the country to celebrate the unveiling of a new family tree put together by the head of the family Mark Dickens – a great, great, great grandson of the eminent author.

One hundred and fifty seven direct descendants are listed on the family tree – a job that took Mr Dickens, a former commander in the Royal Navy from Sussex, more than five years to put together.

He said: “It took a lot longer than I expected but it was a labour of love and also great fun to do.”

Sarah Lovett, 18, a great, great, great, great granddaughter of the author, who gave birth six months ago to the youngest member of the clan, Luke Eric Lovett, said: “When I tell people I am related to Charles Dickens, they think I’m pulling their leg. It is a privilege to be related to him.”

The oldest male member of the family, 89-year-old Cedric Dickens, was also present.

He said: “All the different parts of the family are here together for the first time. It is a picture that will be engraved on my heart forever.”