CROSSWORD No 1,612

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘X’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,612, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, September 28. One random winner from all correct entries w

ACROSS

6 Region of France often mentioned with Lorraine (6)

7 Action of a volcano (8)

9 16 across, 19 down always wore a smart one as 13 across in 10 down (4) 11 The Bible (10) 12 Veto, turn down (6)

13 The surname of 16 across, 19 down’s character in 10 down (5)

14 Reversion to an earlier type (7)

16 (and 19 down) The male star of 10 down through all its incarnations (7,6)

18 The Vikings (5)

19 Spite, hatred (6)

20 Unemotional; as 13 across always was in 10 down (10)

21 Mrs ____: 13 across’s partner in 10 down from 1965 to 1968 (4)

22 Succeeds, thrives (8)

23 Anticipate (6)

DOWN

1 English county (15)

2 Wealthy frequent travellers (3,3)

3 Chronic infectious disorder – also called Hansen’s disease (7)

4 Writ issued by a court of justice requiring a person to appear before the court at a specified time (8)

5 Home economics (8,7)

8 Short, loud noise heard from the sky during a storm (11)

10 Classic 1960s TV series (3,8)

15 Archaic word for a prostitute or promiscuous woman (8)

17 Provider of treatment for teeth (7)

19 See 16 across (6)