GCHQ sets 'fiendish' Christmas brain-teaser for the spies of tomorrow... so can YOU solve it?

For aspiring young spies, it is a mission for your eyes only. 

GCHQ has created its first Christmas card puzzle for schoolchildren. 

Sir Jeremy Fleming, the spy chief who leads the UK’s intelligence agency, is challenging secondary pupils aged 11 to 18. 

With a choice of seven puzzles, youngsters can pit their wits against the country’s finest intelligence officers to find the answer. 

These puzzles are designed to test maths and science whiz kids, as well as the next generation of aspiring young spies... but can you solve them?

Each year the agency releases a card containing a Christmas brain-teaser which is sent to National Security colleagues and partners across the world working to tackle organised crime gangs and hostile states. 

But this year the puzzles have been designed for children. 

The aim is to persuade more pupils to take an interest in subjects like maths, science and engineering – and to consider careers in the intelligence services. 

Sir Jeremy said: ‘I want to show young people that thinking differently is a gift.’ GCHQ’s challenge is being launched across schools with the support of mathematician Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon.

Dr Imafidon is standing in for presenter Rachel Riley on Channel 4’s Countdown while she is on maternity leave. 

She said the puzzles are a ‘fun, festive way’ to explore a range of skills such as critical thinking.

Results time! How well did you fare taking this puzzle designed for the next generation of the world's movers and shakers?