It spends its days trudging through the darkest corners of the internet, but the GCHQ has now officially joined Instagram.

The listening post launched an account on Wednesday, two years after becoming the first spy agency to join Twitter as part of its drive for more transparency.

Its first post, uploaded at 1pm on Wednesday, showed a picture of the headquarters with a sign reading "no photograph" and the caption: "Well this is going to be interesting... Follow us for a glimpse into our secret world."

The account on the picture-sharing platform will provide a glimpse behind the doors of the top-secret organisation and an insight into the life of an intelligence officer.

A GHCQ spokeswoman said: "People generally know we're working 24/7 to help keep the country safe, but they don't get the chance to see behind the scenes.

"Hopefully this will help dispel some myths and show who we are as individuals."