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/calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending the completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 17,324, 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 and texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 54.

ACROSS

1 Stint bursar arranged for a committee of experts (6,5) 9 Weary fellow at oil gauge regularly (7) 10 Woman sat here in a fidgety state (7) 11 Divided union’s leader appearing in court (3) 12 Cleo fine to wander overlooking northern bit of Arctic landscape? (3,4) 13 Integrate baron somehow into centre for body (7) 14 Leaders in heist often frustrating German court (3) 15 Note Greek character in Black Sea resort (5) 17 Former country pile lacking sun for leave of absence (5) 18 Feature of fish, we hear, in narrow stream (5) 20 Doc at ground for group of eight (5) 22 Throw ball in lake close to club (3) 24 Incenses volatile sergeant endlessly (7) 25 Reserve way in front of street and yard (7) 26 Principle in Chinese philosophy appreciated by Oscar (3) 27 Mother keeping headgear for holy leader (7) 28 A number of coolers? (7) 29 Printed yarn devised for a social event (6,5)

DOWN

1 Stroke or caress initially obscured perennial plant (9,6) 2 Financial backer with these people in devotional exercise (7) 3 Female relative, one entering Tyneside church (5) 4 One producing skinny depictions? (9) 5 Exploit timeless piece of furniture at one’s disposal (7) 6 Host’s moderately different in an often repeated event (3,4,3,5) 7 Distant circle following member of a school? (6) 8 Board replaced tense French actress (6) 16 Educator’s fancy hollow piece of pastry (9) 18 Attractive son touring Spain in twinkling lights (6) 19 Relieve admiral William after dismissing British figure (7) 21 More dubious party found on unstable ridge (7) 23 Expression of surprise roughly typical of a lad? (6) 25 Deal with second young dog (3,2)

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.