DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

No 15,861

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 15,861, PO BOX 3451, Norwich, NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked no later than tomorrow. Please make sure you enclose your name and address.

DAILY MAIL New Cryptic Crosswords — pit your wits against 100 of the trickiest cryptic puzzles ever to appear in your favourite paper. This book provides the ideal way to warm up your grey matter for a day’s work, or wind down and relax during those rare spare moments. Available from the Daily Mail Book Shop, call 0844 571 0640 or visit www.mailbookshop.co.uk. P&P is free on orders over £15.

ACROSS

1 Halite formula extracted from china clay (4,4)

5 Resinous substance from wood close to farm (6)

9 Russian, say, has way round labour camp, gutted (8)

10 Goddess inspires love, filling heart (6)

12 Cut back introduction to maths paper (4)

13 Small-timer diverted current to turn wheel (10)

15 New mix of rum and sherry? Yes, they help kids sleep (7,6)

19 Steering gear on car broke carrying king and prince in India (4-3-6)

23 The stoker with a potentially febrile condition (10)

25 Crew start to understand courses (4)

28 Posh northern journo covers city centre, agreed? (6)

29 Wearing black uniform before 12? (8)

30 First Lady left in Big Apple regularly (6)

31 Consume beef at first in shopping centre, in this form? (8)

DOWN

1 Wave that produces curl (6)

2 Dance can go wrong (5)

3 Starter very much more expensive (4)

4 Fuel line to catch fire (7)

6 Skilful part of softpedalling upright (5)

7 Does he represent bicycle wheel manufacturer? (9)

8 Husband in M1 prang causes confusion (8)

11 Small amateur butcher (4)

14 Big swimmer appearing in the largest Balearics (4)

15 Fruit tree I placed in entrance askew (9)

16 Pop music standard raised (3)

17 Beginning to have trouble in cold shower (4)

18 Austrian royal works hard with conservative UK and Spain (8)

20 Catch boat (4)

21 Infuriating Irish smoke flounders (7)

22 Cryptic clue about director-general’s bash (6)

24 Special spring that causes 1 Down? (5)

26 Heather’s a different girl (5)

27 Supporter beginning to tease spoiled child (4)