Questions for would-be spies: can you do GCHQ’S puzzles?

A NEW GCHQ puzzle book will feature past entrance exams for the first time to encourage people to join their ranks of spooks.

Its main function is to protect the UK from terrorism and cyber attacks, but two years ago the Government’s intelligence and security headquarters branched out into the rather less dangerous world of puzzle-books.

Now, in its second foray into the hobby, a new set of brainteasers have been put together to mark its centenary year, which falls in 2019.

“This book is the first to include entrance exams, but they are historic ones so aren’t valid today.

“But if people find themselves getting into the puzzles, they might be intrigued enough to put in an application,” said a spokesman.

The GCHQ Puzzle Book 2 will be published on Oct 18, with hopes of repeating the success of the first edition in 2016. The book will feature a range of new puzzles, ranging from easy to fiendishly difficult, as well as authentic entrance exams set for would-be recruits.

Priced at £12.99, all proceeds from sales will go to the Heads Together mental health campaign spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex.

The Duchess wrote in the first book’s foreword: “William, Harry and I are very grateful that this book is supporting our Heads Together campaign. I hope it will not only amuse and challenge readers, but help to promote an open discussion of mental health problems, which can affect anyone, regardless of age or background.”

A GCHQ spokesman said: “We were delighted with the success of our first puzzle book, which raised over £330,000 for the Heads Together campaign… To mark our centenary next year in 2019, we have created a new puzzle book celebrating our 100-year history of keeping the country safe.”

The new book will also include anecdotes about the people, technology and partnerships that are central to GCHQ’S mission.

Daniel Bunyard, of the book’s publisher Michael Joseph, said: “We couldn’t be more delighted to be publishing another book of puzzles from GCHQ, particularly as part of such a momentous anniversary.

“The 2016 book was the Christmas stocking-filler of choice and we’re hoping that this new batch will be as fun, mind-bending and rewarding as before.”