The three clocks on the sides of the control tower have been restored and planning permission granted to reinstate a replica of the radio mast that originally graced the roof.

Croydon Airport Society (CAS) undertook the restoration of the clocks. It was funded by donations, legacies and society funds, while the necessary electrical j installations were fitted and donated by Westmead Business Group.

CAS chairman Frank Anderson, said: "It has been a long standing ambition of the society to restore these clocks, which have been inactive for about 40 years.

"We are extremely grateful for John Power's support in helping us to realise our dream.

"The restored clocks are reputed to be accurate to one second in one million years and are controlled by a radio signal from the Caesium atomic clock at Rugby in the Midlands."

A formal celebration to mark the restoration of the clocks is being planned for the near future and Westmead Business Group is to add a replica radio mast to the tower later this year completing the restoration of one of the most familiar landmarks from aviation history.

The airport's award winning visitor centre housed in the control tower has a mix of interactive displays, memorabilia and archive material.

The centre evokes the atmosphere and excitement of Croydon Airport during its heyday in the 20s and 30s when it was a hub of international air travel.

Croydon Airport visitor centre is open to the public on the first Sunday of every month.