HAWKING UNVEILS pounds 1M LIGHT SHOW CLOCK.

THE Cambridge University physicist who tried to explain time unveiled one of the world's most striking clocks yesterday.

Prof Stephen Hawking, author of A Brief History of Time, was guest of honour at a ceremony to mark the creation of The Corpus Clock, a EUR1m horological sculpture erected in Cambridge.

A team of specialist engineers spent seven years creating the clock, which stands outside the library of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

It was designed by inventor and horologist John Taylor.

The clock has no hands or digital numbers but a series of slits cut into its 4ft wide stainless steel face - a complex arrangement of darting lights show the time.

"It's a wonderful idea," said Alan Midleton, curator of the British Horological Institute. "Only time will tell whether it will become as famous as Big Ben - I doubt it, actually."

University officials said Dr Taylor was giving the clock, which will be visible to the public, to the college.

The clock was designed partly in tribute to English clockmaker John Harrison.

In the 18th Century, Harrison created a clock which would keep accurate time for long periods at sea and his invention enabled mariners to accurately plot their positions.

The Corpus clock uses a ticking mechanism invented by Harrison.

CAPTION(S):

TIME WILL TELL A visitor views The Corpus Clock.