CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16267, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be date-stamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 62.

ACROSS

1 Bloke, one operating boat, defends male title (12) 8 Moving translation of Gaelic enthrals European (7) 9 Convey one in digger (7) 11 Train attendant travels with mother in tender (10) 12 Fill up border (4) 14 Busy outlet stops fuel distribution (8) 16 Faithful information about old flyer (6) 17 Margaret’s quiet for one (3) 19 Corrupt umpire’s debased (6) 21 Lug in machine for laundrette that’s more depressing (8) 24 Compact Kent town (4) 25 Evil man guarding monarch’s deputy (10) 27 GP needs different

sort of porcelain (7) 28 ME city test allowed to be withdrawn (3,4) 29 Germany once managed to jail hard currency agent (12)

DOWN

1 Pharmacist cut start of evening shift (7) 2 Settled on a line involving people working with food (10) 3 Boost what taxis I hail do (4-2-2) 4 Command raid on ground (6) 5 Piccolos finish up unaccompanied (4) 6 How poets write? The opposite (7) 7 Idiotic charge blinded me when playing (6-6) 10 Exciting venture with Marie’s financially rewarding (12) 13 Pal with frigate unfurled the Jolly Roger (6,4) 15 Light was at the front (3) 18 Agree mistakenly to stock English books and drink (5,3) 20 Spot unpleasant smell — it satisfies some people (7) 22 Freeze one report

about energy (3,4) 23 Choose police station, some say, for a cushy job (6) 26 Advantage held by

landed gentry (4)