While these days many aspire to living as close to London's city centre as possible, 80 years ago people were clamouring to live in the capital's outer fashionable' suburbs such as Croydon.

A new exhibition explores why Croydon boomed in the 1920s and 1930s, a time when the thriving and rapidly-expanding suburbs were a desirable place to live.

Sunshine in Suburbia - which begins this Saturday at the Croydon Clocktower - will take visitors on a tour of Croydon between the wars, giving a glimpse into the lives of the people who lived and worked in its suburbs.

Using objects and photographs, the exhibition will focus on six main themes; building suburbia, house and home, leisure and lifestyles, transport, work and skills and green spaces.

Councillor Steve Hollands, cabinet member for culture and sport, said: "The Sunshine in Suburbia exhibition is about celebrating the suburbs, looking more closely at a fascinating time in Croydon's more recent history - a period still within living memory and comparing it to what our suburbs mean to us today, all through the eyes and ears of local people."

The 1920s and 30s saw a boom in the construction of new houses and estates in the borough, with lots of people owning their own property for the first time.

The town's population went up by 40 per cent in less than 20 years and many people took great pride in decorating and gardening, while new labour-saving devices such as washing machines were revolutionising domestic life.

A collection of memorabilia on show at the exhibition includes a suitcase dating back to the 1920s which belonged to Captain Bill Lawford - one of Britain's first airline pilots - on show for the first time.

After retiring Captain Lawford worked in the control tower at Croydon Airport helping to set up the new air traffic control system.

Laing was one of the first big property developers in Croydon and gave money boxes to new home owners - like the one pictured here, which dates from the 1930s.

The exhibition, which has been supported by a grant of nearly £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund - will also be accompanied by a series of events including workshops, talks, films and tours.

Sunshine in Suburbia runs from October 21 to February 24, 2007, in the temporary exhibition gallery at Croydon Clocktower, open from 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

It also has a late-night opening on Monday and Thursday until 8pm and free happy hours' entry from 3-5pm on Wednesday and Saturday. Admission is £1.50 for adults and 50p for children and concessions.