CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Furtive swimmer with time to enter launch (8) 5 Badger and leveret with tail bitten off by donkey (6) 9 Engrave one small bed in northeast (8) 10 Very little dessert (6) 12 Eggheads initially study first garden (4) 13 I came with uncle working in the interests of unity (10) 15 Wikileaks tale broadcast for more than one radio (6-7) 19 Good rich soil with heather occupies woman of mixed stock (5-8) 23 Asian islands disease spread, consuming money (4,6) 25 Dental examination? (4) 28 Last of children premature? Not quite (6) 29 Revolutionary states prefer keeping church in similar style (8) 30 Score the highest number on board (6) 31 Aircraft with special undercarriage avoid section of motorway (3-5)

DOWN

1 Polish keep quiet in Emergency Room (6) 2 Poles in EU start to examine result (5) 3 What angler has left on river (4) 4 Barbecue, hot one, impresses international composer (7) 6 Professional wears a new protective garment (5) 7 During battle, very loud European shows tenderness (9) 8 Like some grapes, small and unnecessary when topped (8) 11 Exclude old teaching centre in Cambridge ... (4) 14 ... a group from Royal Society as well (4) 15 Comedian leaves poor person relying on earnings (4,5) 16 Look — it’s in orbit (3) 17 Tell story about 100 parasites (4) 18 Hunt with zeal in different places for cob (8) 20 Government department first to explore method (4) 21 Deer broke out, running round university college (7) 22 Rip off coat (6) 24 Popular officer stables English bay (5) 26 Girl scoffs a yogurt dish (5) 27 Beat whiskey and fruit (4)

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 16,524, 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.