BLANK SLATE

The following crossword grid has had all its black squares removed. The numbers to the left of each row and beneath each column represent the number of black squares that should be in that row or column. You’ll notice that the clues are not listed in the usual way — instead, they are listed alphabetically, so you’ll need to work out whether each one leads to an across or a down answer. Solve the clues, then fit them into the grid so that each row contains all the letters listed to its right. We’ve already filled in three letters to help you get started… Be careful, this grid is not fully symmetrical like a Skeleton — instead it has the same kind of symmetry as a standard crossword (i.e. the pattern looks the same upside down but not on its side).

Annual calendar with astronomical data

Area, region

Armoured vehicle

Big, sizeable

Button-up jumper Convince, coax

Dreadful, unpleasant Envious

Girl that had adventures in Wonderland? Horse-drawn cart Hosiery item

Imaginary line around the Earth Chemical element with the symbol Xe

Kangaroo or wallaby, eg

Length of sawn timber

Long salad vegetable

Notable achievement

Pub record player

Quantity of paper

Relating to the moon

Rogue

Short fun outing

Wobbly dessert

Some of the answers in this puzzle need to be written into the grid BACKWARDS, but we’re not telling you which ones! Don’t fret, you’ll soon work it out. KCUL DOOG!

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