The famous Corpus Chronophage clock is once again on display outside Corpus Christi College. The clock had previously been removed, due to its protective glass being smashed by a vandal.

Also known as the Grasshopper Clock, it is a popular Cambridge attraction that was created by Dr John Taylor, an alumnus of Corpus Christi College, and unveiled by Professor Stephen Hawking back in 2008.

The clock has no hands or numbers, instead featuring a giant grasshopper. The grasshopper or “chronopage”, which means “time-eater”, advances around the clock with each step marking a second.

The clock’s custodian Professor Ewan St John Smith told BBC News that the clock took “a bit of time to reappear” to avoid disrupting students studying for exams on the other side of the clock. The college’s library is located directly behind the clock.

He added: “Thankfully the glass did its job and there was no damage to the Chronophage itself but it had to be barred up for security reasons and we had to wait for the glass to be replaced.”

“In the past month or so students have been sitting exams and the library has been in full use, so because of that we thought it best to wait until exams had finished and then get the Chronophage reinstalled.”

Smith noted that the clock was put back on display in time for student graduations which have been occurring over the past week.

The clock’s return was also marked by a large, temporary, one-day (27/06) flower installation around the clock to celebrate British Flower Week.

The clock was vandalised in March (04/03). Varsity reported on the incident at the time, describing how a man repeatedly smashed the clock with a hammer, leaving shards of glass all over the pavement.

Cambridgeshire Police have previously said that an investigation is ongoing, but that no arrests have been made.