Coldplay code cracked

The mysterious artwork on Coldplay's new album X&Y is based on a 19th century secret code.

Curious art experts pored over the geometric patterns on the record cover, and eventually discovered the design features secret messages in the Baudot Code - an international telegraphic alphabet developed by Emile Baudot in 1874.

The code was originally used worldwide for earthbound and undersea telegraph links before being replaced by Morse Code in the mid 20th century.

The centre pages of the record's sleeve notes displays the full coded alphabet, and the cover shows a configuration of blocks spelling X&Y, with the words Make Trade Fair on the back.