Festive puzzles: Cheltenham's GCHQ sets fiendishly challenging Christmas quiz

Once you've finished your Christmas dinner, and overloaded on blockbuster films, there's nothing better than to settle down to solve a festive puzzle.

So why not try the country's top intelligence agency's fiendishly difficult brainteaser?

Sir Jeremy's Christmas card is traditionally sent to national security staff and partners across the world who work alongside the intelligence and security organisation, based in Cheltenham - but this year chiefs came up with a twist.

READ MORE: Mum shares nightmare parking experience at Gloucester Quays

The annual seasonal card has now been designed for those in secondary school education - but that doesn't mean it's easy.

Players have to link each answer to the glowing node on the tree that best matches the question or answer. Once complete, discover the hidden message, reading from top to bottom.

This year's card tells participants they have to navigate through a set of puzzles that increase in difficulty as they move through it.

Sir Jeremy said that "problem-solving skills and teamwork are absolutely crucial" in keeping the country safe.

He said: "That's why this year's Christmas puzzles are aimed at young people. I am keen to encourage STEM skills, thinking differently, and help foster the next generation of talent.

"I want to show young people that thinking differently is a gift, and it is only with a mix of minds that they can solve seemingly impossible problems, just like we do at GCHQ."

You can download GCHQ's Christmas card HERE.

Want our best stories with fewer ads and alerts when the biggest news stories drop? Download our app on iPhone or Android