PRIZE CROSSWORD

A first prize of £20 and two each of £5 will be awarded to the first three all correct entries opened. Names and addresses of winners will be published next Saturday.

ACROSS

8 Deliver, as I arranged, the plant (7)

9 Not fighting growing old (7,2)

13 A number in the show produced outbursts of laughter (5)

14 It flies the woman over (5)

15 Talk to a soft toy (7)

16 Mean to take a cut on the vegetarian food (7)

17 Quail and cold wine is brought out (5)

18 It’s responsible for a hold-up while the picture’s in production (5)

20 Pay for, at the kiosk (5)

22 The ruddy fish got into it and swam (6)

23 One’s pet stiffener? (6)

25 Put a T in “soothe” (7)

27 In addition, promote (7)

30 The cue is very important (6)

31 Thought it would make a comeback, in time (6)

32 Doesn’t have the fare to take the express south (5)

35 While determined to find a good quality in (5)

36 Starts to write, in big letters (5)

37 Not lying, being honest (7)

39 Show the bear struggling in the grip of a wild animal (7)

41 The one cutting the lawn is not from my family (2-3)

42 With a fish right in the beak (5)

43 Frank is dejected, wouldn’t you say? (9)

44 Happy to have the two coins - relieved (7)

DOWN

1 Someone who’s attractive to an artist (6)

2 Deduced, when one got angry about (8)

3 Drunk on the hard stuff, is in a very good mood (4,7)

4 Do me a favour and put up money for the show (2,2,5)

5 Didn’t allow to be arrested (7)

6 Fight the ring shows there has been (10)

7 Shut up and run! (4)

10 She’s covered a page in figures (6)

11 Nibbled as one leafed through (7)

12 He advises the chap to give you the money (6)

19 Prepared the supports for the seats (7)

21 Claims, for instance, that Ella’s mad about (7)

24 Be a success - as a dresser? (4,3,4)

26 Fellow on tree comes to grief at start of book (7,3)

28 Looking forward to the battle, Rose is in training (9)

29 Stir-crazy, whizz about to start with (7)

30 Can’t be moved into quarters with that attitude! (6)

32 Refrain from including an Eastern predecessor (8)

33 Calm down and pay up (6)

34 Take in and cheat at, getting found out in the end (7)

38 Made Gina and Ed make it up (6)

40 Current hit (4)