WAR-TIME buildings in the Lickey Hills will be the subject of £10,000 worth of research, thanks to a donation from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The Lickey Hills Local History Society received the grant for its project Hidden Heritage of the Lickey Hills, to record and track the history of buildings on Bilberry Hill, which date back to the First World War.

The unusual structures, which include two gun butts for testing field guns, a partially-demolished munitions store, a gun emplacement, two army mess rooms and a toilet block, will be studied to mark the centenary of the Great War, running from 2014 to 2018.

Other buildings existed alongside the collection, such as a bunker, an officer's mess and a stable block, but these have since been lost.

Jill Harvey, of Lickey Hills Local History Society, said: "We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and can’t wait to start investigating, researching and recording the site."

A variety of archive collections will be investigated as part of the scheme to find out more about the type of work undertaken on the site and the military units involved.

Residents in Lickey, Rednal and surrounding areas will be encouraged to come together to uncover and preserve the heritage of the site and the work will be carried out by volunteers within the community, with training offered.

Jill added: "If anyone would like to be involved, or has any photographs or information relating to the site, please contact the society."

The information gathered will be used to create boards, a leaflet and a teacher's pack as an educational resource for school visits. The end of the project will be marked with a series of public events.

The project will be carried out in partnership with the Lickey Hills Society, Birmingham Park Ranger Service and Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service.

To find out more or get involved email info@lhlhs.org.uk.