DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Start to follow not just roundabouts here (7) 5 Practical sailor blocks benefit payment (6) 9 Engagement over? Stop talking (4,3) 10 Lackey dispatched to collect bible first of all (7) 11 Cut top of grass and top of barley, maybe (3) 12 A shame swirling mist creates problem for viewers (11) 13 Award just over 50 printer’s marks (5) 14 Change map in order to find wine region (9) 16 Preferred virtue of a comic (9) 17 Release bar, releasing chlorine (5) 19 Athlete stops eating English vegetables (6,5) 22 Bath’s special old man (3) 23 Japanese island adequate in a way, most of it (7) 24 Wine produced by Irish amateur (7) 26 Popular legal document? It certainly is (6) 27 One prepared to defend pit candidate (7)

DOWN

1 Confusion caused by gunman breaking into US bank? Not half (7) 2 Name on story about theory oddly produces inaction (15) 3 Former American zip (3) 4 Damaged frigate snubs Georgia for full overhaul (5) 5 Specify fruit without eastern mark (9) 6 Regularly savour steak that’s full of blood (5) 7 Journalist often puts this first item in paper? (7,8) 8 Obstruct eyesore straddling major road (6) 12 Mould in gold possibly the last word (5) 14 Some film committee’s temporary storage area (9) 15 Cupboard for newspapers (5) 16 Hairline or headline? (6) 18 Send out aquatic mammal tail first (7) 20 Legend about Spain creates thrill (5) 21 Lunatic ignores top guy seeking promotion (5) 25 Hold back stable mother (3)

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 16,012, PO BOX 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked no later than tomorrow. Please make sure you enclose your name and address. No 16,012