CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,539

ACROSS

1 RC priest ordered to revise text (8) 5 In which error at net is returned? (6) 9 Untidy old ships at sea (8) 10 Foolish sleuth bores boss (6) 12 Top primate at Number Ten (4) 13 Supplier of blood old people sent back in handcart (4,6) 15 Obviously cunning’s needed to secure new field event (4-9) 19 Tall crop in Africa — a spear’s length potentially (8,5) 23 Dilapidated hut in foreign realm (10) 25 Fielder’s error (4) 28 Book flight (6) 29 Disobedience of French bloke who’s engaged (8) 30 Adder — and when it’s active? (6) 31 Chamber works indirectly, ignoring IT (8)

DOWN

1 A scamp or a scallywag hides (6) 2 In southeast, pinch flyer (5) 3 Spots rare tree (4) 4 Submit work in plain language (7) 6 Additional old paintings put up (5) 7 Writer looking up Irish novel about onset of terrible disease (9) 8 Teams cross road from left to right, say (8) 11 Leaderless newspaper erected house (4) 14 Bishop Harry rejected nonsense (4) 15 Turkish bath ruins mate’s space (5,4) 16 Upset about American tax (3) 17 Cancel upcoming motorway test (4) 18 Unrivalled, like empty 24? (8) 20 Scotsman goes up carrying cold drink (4) 21 Good friend touring Queen’s room filled with artworks (7) 22 Show up a soft fruit (6) 24 Spray water around posh dwelling (5) 26 Ruled, having been given backing (5) 27 Equipment for recording one fellow in Hawaii (2-2)

NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.

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 16,539, 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 56.