CRUSADER CROSSWORD

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN £100 CASH read down the letters in the highlighted squares to reveal the mystery word

ACROSS

Heater used by ringleader, a woman, with new rota (8) 5 In public, I clean hanging spike (6) 10 Whack the principal, getting school punishment, and be in the news (3,3,9) 11 A friend with extremely unpopular layman (7) 12 Dull French article included by male Scandinavian (7) 13 Royal boarding ship with flag (8) 15 Defamatory statement in journal, I believe (5) 18 Conceals animal skins (5) 20 About 51, expert turning out to be dependable (8) 23 Sweetheart, bold, embracing student (7) 25 Severe union leader seen in a street before (7) 26 Western one, quiet, almost packed before slim monarch reveals unrealistic idea (7,8) 27 Man, gang leader, the French hang (6) 28 Branch cleaner has one comfortable seat (8)

DOWN

1 Warm up again, about to join round of contest (6) 2 Taken away from area? Indeed (9) 3 A Conservative greeting woman making gain (7) 4 Different parent fails to start (5) 6 Commanding officer, single, left with officer (7) 7 Cheat on Georgia at dance (5) 8 Wind later? Yes, unfortunately (8) 9 Healing ointment needed before spoken exam in Scottish castle (8) 14 Mother getting equipment, ancient, from plant (8) 16 Dancer included by footballer in America (9) 17 Secretly followed, head of school had been in debt (8) 19 Proficient if skull is broken (7) 21 Eccentric in scare with poisonous substance (7) 22 Amalgamation revealed by calmer German (6) 24 Got up to get new siren (5) 25 A British house residents initially hate (5)