BLANKOUT

A crossword you construct yourself, adding the answers and the blanks as you go. The clues are in sets of one, two, three or four guiding you to one, two, three or four words in each line (across) or column (down) indicated at the beginning of each set of clues. Each complete word has a blank at its beginning and end (unless it’s at the edge of the grid). Blanks are arranged symmetrically. To help you, we’ve given you a start with the answer to the clue on Line 5 – ‘Fisherman’s haul’ – which yields the word ‘Catch’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry. ACROSS 1 Outside covering; Sort (papers) into the correct order

3 Go down a cliff face with a rope; Breed of small fowl 5 Branch of a tree; Fisherman’s haul; One hundredth of a dollar 7 Soccer infringement; Particular period

9 Not conforming to linguistic rules

11 Bodily vigour; Valour

13 Kiss of life

15 Poor (weather conditions); Colonist

17 Column of shopping items; Tree with light purple flowers; Malevolent

19 Leave; Naked lifestyle 21 Loss, shortage; Reassure DOWN A Additionally; Skilfully B Confused, upset C Collection of recordings; Body of teachers

D Public vehicle; Recreations; Take in food E Target, victim; Fine scented powder

F Medical conclusion

G Let out, free; Famous

H Unit of current; Chest bone I Changing room; Stop (the flow of blood)

J Backing, support

K Wildcat; Theory

L Crunchy lettuce; Welsh breed of dog; Part of the foot

M Surprise; Pay a call N Conscientiousness

O Eyelid swelling; Actor’s part