Madeira Terrace is one of the council's "biggest challenges" to restore.

As the longest cast iron structure in the country, Madeira Terrace is made up of 151 arches, each made of six tonnes of cast iron.

Its restortation will be a mammoth task for Brighton and Hove City Council, but it is celebrating the work that has already begun. 

At almost one kilometre in length, the Terrace is the only land-based iron promenade in England. It runs along the seafront rather than out to sea because the Victorians recognised that visitors needed shelter and shade when they were by the sea.

At the centre of each arch are cast representations of mythical gods Neptune and Venus which will be restored.

There are six tonnes of cast iron in each one of the 151 arches, which will be dismantled and taken away from site. 

Work on the first 40 arches will start this year.

Once the full restoration is completed, over 900 tonnes of cast iron will have been removed and reinstated.  

In renovating the historic structure, the council said it has committed to conserving the existing cast iron elements as far as possible.

Decorative elements are more likely to be able to be repaired as they are not weight bearing.

A special maritime treatment will be applied to every element of the refurbished structure which will keep the cast iron protected for much longer than ordinary paint.

Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Work is underway to restore Madeira Terrace, rebuilding this historic part of the seafront and restoring the country’s longest cast iron structure.

“Our goal is to return this Victorian landmark to the city, offering facilities fit for the 21st century which welcome all communities, and ensure it is here for generations to come.

“The revitalisation of Madeira Terrace is one of the most significant projects on which the council has embarked for a long time."

In November the council won the planning permission for the regeneration of Madeira Terrace.

"The refurbished Terrace will further strengthen our offer to visitors and grow the local economy, in a city where tourism accounts for 21,000 jobs," said Councillor Mac Cafferty.