Jack went missing from his home five years ago

The black cat, nicknamed One-Eyed Jack, had been sleeping in an air vent at Plymouth College of Further Education for the past 17 months.

He was eventually caught and taken to the nearby Gables Farm Dogs' and Cats' Home, which placed an advertisement in the local paper.

The cat's owners, who live more than three miles away from the college in Mannamead in Plymouth, saw the advert on New Year's Eve and went to see if the one-eyed cat was their missing family pet.

Owner Dion Mellor-Senior, 20, said the family had searched for Jack after his disappearance but eventually gave up hope of seeing him again.

Jack had spent the past 17 months living in an air vent

"We hadn't seen him for over five years, so the chances of us seeing an advert and saying 'that's our cat' were fairly slim.

"We didn't think it could be our cat, but when we saw him it was exactly the same one.

"It was quite an emotional reunion. He was really affectionate and friendly. It is really nice to have him back."

Jack was discovered on Christmas Eve by a cat lover known only as Barbara, who goes out every night to feed stray cats.