Figure this one out, Sudoku fans

The Diary loves nothing better than a brain teaser – and most mornings polishes off The Times crossword on the tube before devouring a sudoku grid – which can result in a few funny looks from other passengers.

But the Diary is not very good with numbers – as its very short career as a bank teller testifies – and has long thought there must be ways of improving on the traditional “one to nine” system employed by most papers.

Well, they seem to have thought of something over in Spain, where they have replaced the numbers with brands. Clever, because people poring over a Sudoku will remember – but maybe learn to hate – the brand names.

Mind you, the chaps from Sloganevents who claim to have invented “brand sudoku” also seem to have a bit of trouble with words as well as numbers, as the e-mail they sent the Diary testifies:

“We make him arrive from Sloganevents agency of Barcelona a note from press where we present a new way to watch an announcement and to make more cash the objective announce the marks and their products,” it begins.

“This idea has been taking upon maturity for weeks in the Sport one, mass media of sport character.”

Possibly a reference to the Spanish sports paper “Sport”, but who can be sure?

“Considering the notoriety of the idea, we enclosed the note of press and the model to him of announcement so that it can have certainty.”

Okaaay.

“We are to its disposition to extend the idea to him and wished that it can give certainty of it in its publication. Thank you very much. Greetings.”

It’s sure to be a winner.