CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Work strained back operating kitchen utensil (12) 8 Mathematician’s complex rules inspiring special student (7) 9 Talk about love with one corporal initially in mess (7) 11 Underwear with fancy lace of limited size (5-5) 12 Workers given universal list of courses (4) 14 It could be grand if I dressed up, but it’s demeaning (5,3) 16 Merry US soldier eating lettuce (6) 17 It’s chewed up at first then finally digested (3) 19 Keen to consume more good grass by end of July (6) 21 Part of vehicle record in Taipei compound (8) 24 Noise coming from pen? This suggests it’s empty! (4) 25 Pot – drink one in eatery with energy (10) 27 Unable to disperse last of dense clouds of dust (7) 28 Top man in theatre in European capital withdrawn (7) 29 Grecians once irritated Bond (12)

DOWN

1 Female police officer meets personnel (7) 2 Perhaps they secure staves for Caribbean music groups (5,5) 3 Catholic City welcomes Celtic after training (8) 4 Get to grips with equipment (6) 5 Ring sort of green Liberal (4) 6 Busy place to start board game? (2,3,2) 7 Garment made from carpeting good for daughter (8,4) 10 Falsely accuse rebel earl in famous trial (5,7) 13 Constantly changing ID? It spreads the dough (7,3) 15 Draw over part of violin (3) 18 They lag behind new ladders wife brought in (8) 20 Award title to benevolent comic, snubbing vet (7) 22 Fierce winds cross middle of ocean, not on the rocks? (3-4) 23 Bar offering very reduced brown sandwiches (6) 26 Singer with a bit of a nasal tone (4)

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.

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 16,552, 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 68.