There’s a chill in the air, coloured lights are being hung in the streets, and Noddy Holder’s gravelly voice is belting out of every wireless. But the thing that truly says Christmas is on the way is the appearance of this year’s Viz annual in the shops.

And The Ratcatcher’s Bait Box - a verminous infestation of the best bits from issues 332-341 - is this year’s festive offering. Our 41st annual is sure to delight everyone who finds it under their tree (almost as much as their buying it will delight us). Scampering across its 228 fun-packed pages, you will find:

• All your favourite cartoon characters including Roger Mellie, The Fat Slags, Biffa Bacon, Fru T Bunn, Mrs Brady, 8 Ace, The Drunken Bakers and many more.

• Informative and educational features - 20 Things You Never Knew About Mermaids, the lowdown on Holy Grails, and an in-depth look at Cornwall.

• Hard-hitting investigative reports, looking at Sicknote Britain, how our democracy works and the secret plans to re-animate the Queen Mum.

• Exciting stories - Adventure on the high streets with the Porch Pirates of Barnton. Football meets espionage in The Secret Agent of Notts County. And high-flying pornographic crime-fighting with Stormy in a Teacup.

• Letterbocks, Top Tips and a Roger’s Profanisaurus update.

Viz: The Ratcatcher’s Bait Box is the perfect gift for those in that difficult £10-£15 gift bracket who have warned that they are going to kick off if they get socks or aftershave again, and moreover it’s very easy to wrap.