More than 130 Oxford homes built in the 1940s as a quick-fix solution to Britain's post-war housing crisis are still going strong.

The prefabricated houses were only supposed to last for 40 years. But Barton's British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF) homes have outlasted their expiry date by 20 years.

And now the 131 city council-owned homes will get an overhaul, including new roofs, windows and cladding, to make sure they carry on for many years to come.

The city council, which owns the houses in Bassett Road, Bayswater Road, Edgecombe Road, Wayneflete Road, Cranley Road, Humfrey Road, Malford Road and Routh Road, will begin a refurbishment programme early next year.

Edgecombe Road resident Hilda Barney said the revamp would be wonderful.

Mrs Barney, 81, who has lived in her home for 44 years, was one of a group of residents who travelled to Bristol to see the results of a similar scheme.

She said: "When I went to see pictures it was nice but when I went to Bristol and saw them first-hand you don't realise it's the same house. They will look really smart."

Routh Road resident Ian Anderson, 75, has lived in his home for 45 years.

He said: "It's brilliant, absolutely brilliant. We have been down to Bristol to have a look at ones there and this will bring us out of a ghetto-looking estate to something upmarket."

The homes will have new roofs and windows, wall and loft insulation will be added and external cladding replaced.

The council decided to overhaul the properties because they are still structurally sound - after 60 years of service.

The total cost of the project is confidential as the contract tender process has not been completed.

Graham Boughton, head of Oxford City Homes, said the improvement plan would bring huge benefits to residents.

He said: "The homes will be more thermally efficient so they will be warmer and it will hopefully cut heating bills.

"Cosmetically, they will look better and have new windows to reduce drafts. It will change the face of the area and give people homes that will last them a considerable time longer."