Historic bungalows built for retired Cadbury workers 119 years ago are to undergo refurbishment work this year to preserve them for Birmingham.

The Quadrangle, in Mary Vale Road, Bournville, even received royal approval when it was visited by King George V and Queen Mary in 1919.

Now, the houses, managed by Bournville Village Trust, will have their unique ornate chimney stacks renovated as part of an ongoing maintenance programme.

Constructed from handmade bricks and stone, the chimneys are suffering from age and frost damage.

Steve Fellows, head of asset management at Bournville Village Trust, said: "The Quadrangle is often described as Bournville's hidden gem and this work is vital in ensuring that the building's unique characteristics are conserved.

"We've sought expert stonemasons to carry out the work and help us bring the chimneys back to how they looked when they were first built 119 years ago.

"Importantly, over the last few years, we've also installed new bathrooms, kitchens and boilers in the bungalows to ensure residents can live in a beautiful historic building but with modern facilities."

Built in 1897, the Quadrangle is made up of 33 bungalows set within picturesque grounds complete with its own clock tower and orchard.

They were commissioned by George Cadbury's elder brother Richard, who never lived to see Bournville fully develop as he died from diphtheria in 1899.

Originally intended for retired Cadbury workers, the bungalows are still home to former staff today as well as some non-employees aged over 60.

Last year, 160 metres of new ornate metal fencing was installed around the rear of the Quadrangle to protect its orchard and gardens from vandalism and was funded in part by a £10,000 grant from Mondelēz International, which now owns Cadbury.

Refurbishment work has previously included new lighting, pathways and the replacement of damaged railings and gates.

Given the building's listed status, the trust employed expert stonemasons Treasures & Sons, based in Ludlow, to carry out the repair and rebuilding work using traditional techniques.

Stone sourced from the same quarry as the original chimneys will also be used for the work and the trust plans to restore all of the scheme's 33 chimney stacks within the next five years.