YOU CROSSWORD

No 1,533

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘A’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,533, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, March 24. One random winner from all correct entries will win €100 and five runners-up will win €25 each. Winners will be notified within 14 days. Solution in two weeks.

ACROSS

1 3 down’s signature song (2,3,2,4) 7 Severely criticise a play (3) 9 Native of New Zealand (5) 10 Shy (9) 11 Used to test vision (3,5) 12 Meagre, scanty (6) 14 Elaborate, complex (9) 15 The last letter of the Greek alphabet (5) 17 Rough or surly in manner (5) 19 Capable of winning a political contest (9) 21 Song that was a hit for 3 down (6) 23 Unrestricted right to act (4,4) 25 The annuities voted by Parliament for the support of the royal family (5,4) 26 Bridal path (5) 27 Append (3) 28 Cover, hiding place (11)

DOWN

1 _________ up: preparing to work out (9)

2 Savage, vicious, brutal (7)

3 French singer (1915-1963). Ignore the accent! (5,4)

4 Person who delivers the latest information about current events on TV (10) 5 Pledge, vow (4) 6 Eventually 4 5 6 7 become (3,2)

7 Large area of flat, grassy land in North America (7)

8 (and 13, 24 down) Song which was a hit for 3 down (3,2,2,8,4) 13 See 8 down 15 Alert, informed (2,3,4)

16 Correction, alteration (9) 18 Uncherished (7) 20 Old name for a type of golf club (7)

21 Holy city in Saudi Arabia (5)

22 Something that has survived from the past (5)

24 See 8 down