DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS

6 Alternative comedian Merton produces a good word (14) 9 Fly places during half term (6) 10 Chemical said to reduce decay polluted our field (8) 11 Firm beginning to circumvent revised law (8) 13 Cast rallied round, representing stars (6) 15 Squeeze cropped form into edited text (6) 17 U.S. agency returns to seize Cruise type of weapon (6) 19 Disco music chief cuts duff note (6) 20 Assign another rating on ship in high seas (8) 22 Mustn’t upset a new daredevil on set (8) 24 Steer car, old Morris model (6) 26 Estonian lassie trained to do some embroidering (14)

DOWN

1 Eccentric GP sent a letter round hospital: ‘Be brave!’ (5,3,6) 2 Aberdonian’s small bed (4) 3 A second English degree? That’s not much of a life (6) 4 Notice revolutionary junta has little time for aide (8) 5 Highlight of film? (4) 7 Decadent European female opens garden party (6) 8 Plotters uncovered yarns all over the shop (8,6) 12 First of ladies at church raise it to get in (5) 14 This writer’s bored climbing group for ages (5) 16 Fellow lodger loves married male in charge (8) 18 Professional not running fast (6) 21 A motorway test lacking standards (6) 23 Grub infesting merino sheep (4) 25 Turn over fine border (4)

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 15,790, PO BOX 3451, Norwich, NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked...