A hospital complex delayed because builders mixed up the hot and cold water pipes is on course to open - 15 months late.

The £20 million treatment centre at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, in Northfield, Birmingham, (above) has stood empty for more than a year even though it should have opened last summer.

Workmen's efforts to correct the water pipe bungle has taken longer than expected.

Hundreds of patients have still not been able to use the Bristol Road South complex's three new wards, which have a total of 72 beds.

Acting chief executive Jean Wood said: "The trust is hoping for an opening date of the treatment centre in September.

"That is the earliest date after all the delays. Nothing is set in stone, but we are keeping our hopes up."

Bosses at contractor Medicor are battling to correct the mistake. The temperature of water going into the building was affected because hot and cold water pipes were too close together.