A pre-Christmas puzzle has landed! Here you will find a festive card from myself and my loyal assistant, Steve — wishing you a very Merry Christmas and hiding a cryptic message for you to unravel… should you be up to the challenge.

No prizes for this one — just pride, glory, and having your name emblazoned upon the site as a solver of the merry riddle.

Each year the boffins at GCHQ launch a Christmas puzzle card, and for this first Christmas at Puzzlington I thought we'd give them a run for their money.

I shan’t give too much away — that would be spoiling it. Some of you might crack it in half an hour… others over several days. But a few things are permitted:

• Collaboration is allowed!
  
  

• Research is allowed!
  
  

• Sharing is positively encouraged — spread the good word of Puzzlington!
  
  

Once you’ve solved it, fill in the form below. If your message is correct, I shall add you (or your collaborative team) to the Wall of Fame.

Do note: it’s not the finest experience on mobile — such is the nature of the beast. Best to print off both pages so you can fold it into a festive card and enjoy it without squinting.

Best of bloomin’ luck to all you cracking good sports.

Tally-ho!