CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,473

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 16,473, 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 68.

ACROSS

6 Those seeking influence in street possibly disheartened adults (8,6) 9 Ring employee in zoo (6) 10 Respecting a court, writer’s giving a response (8) 11 Choke or accelerator (8) 13 Before it’s too late, close friend disposes of a ton (2,4) 15 Colonists gather this in trance, dancing (6) 17 United Nations is working for complete agreement (6) 19 Nervous, impartial, gutted (6) 20 Concoct a reply about each time when calendar changes (4,4) 22 Several small boats somehow fail to protect lines (8) 24 Tavern at rear of theatre that’s been there since day one (6) 26 Trade one’s fields for refuges in town (7,7)

DOWN

1 University’s chief sin? Constructing ranch to store instrument (4,10) 2 A lot of money raised for organ part (4) 3 Right way to pick up fungus (3,3) 4 Dealing with farmland Niagara River eroded (8) 5 Pay for infantry (4) 7 Networker who’s on board? (6) 8 Scruffy painter met on street outside V & A? (8,6) 12 Turn out old dog about to be impounded (5) 14 Bad-tempered Yankee follows big game (5) 16 Everyone at the Spanish musical regularly rejoice (8) 18 Ingredient in chalk, a limestone base (6) 21 Famous singer turns up, extremely lovely, showing huge interest (6) 23 It’s about two fellows

in disagreement (4) 25 Square in northeast

is bracing (4)