BARE BONES

WIN A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD’S CROSSWORD SOLVER’S DICTIONARY

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.

Across

1 Show encouragement around circuit

4 Fold petal a different way

7 Ribbon stuck initially on tree 9 Publicise a bung

10 Defeat the leader on mound

11 Youngster gets backing of a student

12 Put an end to drink

13 Pay to get comfortable

14 Did without new drapes

18 Place of worship either side of the head

20 Note yours truly gets the glory

21 Nearest examples of sheet design

22 Draws digits in report

23 Man’s eyepiece

24 Relaxed with journalist, satisfied

25 Charming part of injury

Down

2 All about acquiring one cold colour

3 Summons artist in exciting books (Two words, hyphenated)

4 Try to sell playing field

5 Avoid duel, rewriting the end

6 Records as pet plays around

7 Striker finds security at game (Two words)

8 Travel around north – it’s very slow

15 Heard section that’s quiet

16 Fruit days

17 Wonderful fireplace, by the sound of it

18 Sentimental daughter provides material

19 Bloom not starting further down

There is a prize of a Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus set, and a Bradford’s Crossword Solver’s Dictionary. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No 976, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries must arrive by Friday, January 1 (photocopies not accepted). The winner’s name will be published on January 17 from the first correct entry drawn. Winner of Bare Bones No 973: Paul Bland, of Henlow, Bedfordshire.