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 16,722, 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 datestamped 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 58.

ACROSS

1 A bubbly wine, one in season, is wonderful (3-9) 8 Note independent old hobo stealing current metal (7) 9 Saw pet dog perhaps constrained by lead (7) 11 One copies scripts a chap uses in novel (10) 12 Religious students’ tablet (4) 14 Couple study posh minute food processor (8) 16 Car manufacturer exporting eastern fruit (6) 17 Day for school test (3) 19 Bats seen flying round about still (6) 21 Reveal record Leo’s broken (8) 24 Regret spinning old coin (4) 25 Entwined twisted tendril impresses expert (10) 27 Hack a bit old for newspaper (7) 28 Obscure bits of film found in middle of reel (7) 29 Pompous type dithers dreadfully, pursuing matter (7,5)

DOWN

1 A very old notice in firm’s pale green (7) 2 Huge American cops near drunken hedonists (10) 3 Miners in the States gather round divine (8) 4 Good, very soft, popular apple (6) 5 Bouncer finally hit top batter (4) 6 More distressed wild reindeer heading off (7) 7 Very angry old Peruvian family (12) 10 Impartial parliament’s healthy intake (8,4) 13 Choose a plant, as stated, to make relish (10) 15 Crazy boss brings in amateur (3) 18 Unrelenting, like vandalised vehicles in LA? (8) 20 Artist on Italian river knocked up snack (7) 22 Head’s back, 75% occupied, busy with timetable at first (7) 23 Where divers stand, anxious? (2,4) 26 Devour one in pack (4)