A large clock hand belonging to the chapel clock of Gonville and Caius College has been returned after almost a century.

The clock hands were replaced with cardboard replicas by Geoffrey Hunter Baker and an unknown undergraduate student in the 1930s. The prank occurred between 1934 and 1937, while Baker was studying modern languages as an undergraduate.

The hour hand was later inherited by Geoffrey’s daughter, Trixie Baker, who commented on the cardboard replacements, stating that they “worked very well until it rained”. Last year, the hour hand was returned after her fathers death in 1999. It now sits in the College Archive.

When asked about the prank, James Cox, College archivist, said that “learning of student escapades is part of the College’s long and varied history.”

He added: “While we don’t encourage students to take part in such pranks, I am happy to learn about them years later, when no-one has been hurt and no permanent damage has been done - and they’ve graduated!”

Both clock hands were replaced by the College yet the minute hand still remains lost. Anybody with information regarding the still missing minute hand has been requested to contact the College archive.

Cambridge's historic buildings have long been the target of student pranks. An Austin Seven van was placed by engineering students on top of the University’s graduation building, Senate House,  in 1958. This prank was repeated in 2013 when a 70ft platform resembling Senate House was constructed, onto which a vehicle was hoisted onto it.

Then Cambridge Mayor, Councillor Paul Saunders, praised the re-enactment, stating it was a “real tribute” to the original.