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 17,347, 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 52.

ACROSS

6 Find nurses curiously embracing policy having cold quality? (14)

9 Bends down so post

is assembled (6)

10 Inspector, for instance, detaining a reporter outwardly in an untidy state (8)

11 One receiving all

forms of fuel? (8)

13 Independent skipper after comeback describing some sports? (6)

15 Sister touring area by outskirts of Cambridge in shade (6)

17 Young swan and seal,

by the sound of it (6)

19 Special circle with some weight? That’s entirely accurate (4,2)

20 Perceptive work by observer in conclusion (4-4)

22 Reasonable European has question stopping a scheduled appointment? (8)

24 Short profile about rebuilt

lab in Spanish city (6)

26 Direct old fellow nonetheless with time for line of reasoning (5,2,7)

DOWN

1 Nervous hand permits us to grab tail of unknown venomous creature (8,6)

2 Central characters in cafe grow a distinctive hairstyle (4)

3 Fine island with a second

firm in shambles? (6)

4 Treat as secret client firstly left on a ship provided with latest in security (8)

5 Outstanding figure encapsulated by lone representation (4)

7 Model, say, circling good director is given a reminder? (6)

8 Past haste often misjudged?

It’s instinctive (4-2-3-5)

12 Short sleep when in middle

of site is not appropriate (5) 14 Nordic citizen grabs introduction to this noted poet (5)

16 Monica strangely accepting two names for aromatic spice (8)

18 Unassuming in two ways? (6) 21 All together for Nancy? (2,4) 23 Leave South American capital overlooking nothing (4)

25 Record ordinary

corporate symbol (4)