A student ignited flames of passion in a university tutor during a roof-top sex session.

But the amorous undergraduate's smouldering encounter looks to have saved a college relic from a disastrous blaze.

The third-year Oxford University student persuaded the attractive woman tutor to join him on roof of the University Boathouse.

So memorable was the marathon session under the stars that afterwards the 21-year-old student went off in search of a trophy. Slightly tipsy, he helped himself to a St Peter's College plaque on the first floor of the boathouse. But the riverside Romeo's conscience was eventually pricked on hearing that the 118-year-old boat house had been destroyed in a £1m fire five weeks ago.

And he has now returned what is thought to be one of the few pieces of boathouse memorabilia to escape the blaze.

The student, who wished to remain anonymous, felt no regret about his night on the roof last summer

"All I remember is that I had been on the roof to take air with the lady. The next morning the plaque was in my bedroom," he said. "I wouldn't go so far as to call myself the saviour of the relic but I am moved that so much good has come out of my actions. Both the young lady involved and myself are very keen to see Britain's heritage preserved."

To avoid reprisals he has chosen to hand over the plaque to the student paper The Oxford Student, which is now trying to establish whether it belongs to the boat club or St Peter's College. Deputy editor, John Bingham, said: "It seems to have been the only thing that survived the fire."

Story date: Thursday 04 November

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.