IRON MAIDEN fans are hopeful of a 2015 album and tour after the band sent out a Christmas card hinting at both.

The band sent out the card to members of the official Iron Maiden Fan Club. It features an image of Maiden mascot Eddie leaving a recording studio, with a signpost in the snow reading 'UROTON 15', which is an anagram of On Tour 15.

A message from the band reads: "Eddie's got a little Christmas gift for everyone who's been really bad! Must not be opened until 2015. Merry Christmas from Iron Maiden."

IRON MAIDEN's most recent album was 2010's The Final Frontier.