BLANKOUT

A crossword you construct yourself, adding the answers and the blanks as you go. The clues are in sets of one, two, three or four guiding you to one, two, three or four words in each line (across) or column (down) indicated at the beginning of each set of clues. Each complete word has a blank at its beginning and end (unless it’s at the edge of the grid). Blanks are arranged symmetrically. To help you, we’ve given you a start with the answer to the clue on Line 7 – ‘Scuba user’ – which yields the word ‘Diver’. This must sit in the centre of the line to preserve the symmetry.

ACROSS

1 Protect, screen; Horse pace 3 Hiring actors; Germ 5 Telling of a story 6 Chop into cubes; Attire, togs 7 Scuba user 8 Firmly fixed; Bring to light 9 Greek bread 10 Became older; Cereal grains 11 Peak; Farmer’s harvest 12 Neat, tidy; Corner (prey) 13 Police wailer 14 Engaged man; _ pig, rodent 15 Packed close together 16 Emblem of Wales, Azure 17 Jotting sheets 19 Annoyance; Accounts checker 21 Somewhat; Erase

DOWN

A Repellent B Fried langoustines; Whichever of two C Popular fad; Extremely angry D Recite, chant; Wall across a river; Medieval warrior F Hermit; Miserable, sad; Strong thread H Artlessness, innocence; Dad’s dad J Defence of being elsewhere; Put into a new order; Large feather L Flock; Go (for); Skin contusion M Fragrance, smell; Of the kidneys N Thief, bandit; Not fastened O Item of armour