CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,088, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be datestamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 56.

ACROSS

1 Notice by is It cool should accepted old in man form fridge be that (10,2) kept provided or 8 attic Native possibly medicine (7) 9 concocted without using iodine (7) 11 God, old and horrible, devours horse completely (10) 12 It has bite, whichever way you look at it (4) 14 Florist offers these gratis, as is, in new arrangement (8) 16 Old ward boss Norma nervous about start of treatment (6) 17 Particle of metal, not rare (3) 19 Second half of protective dose obtained from milk (6) 21 Piece covering prow’s broken spar (8) 24 Titled person not quite ahead of his time (4) 25 Oarsmen set out to find giant squid perhaps (3-7) 27 I was confused about hospital, large one, speaking this? (7) 28 Messages for estate agents (7) 29 Union staff back scheme meant, I hear, to lower this? (12)

DOWN

1 2 3 4 5 with Profession wasting at Impress Unconvincing complaint the Nelson dynasty some Ride joint French round, depression extent founded (10) hours to big about of (6) port dealing (4) writer, (7) (8) 6 7 A accommodates married worker Repairing faults appreciation recluse generates once welfare greens (12) (7) with 10 13 Lively views art Flat, nuts perhaps ruffles exchange (3,3,6) Dutch a of 15 semitone keeping Some old time off, belugas (10) primarily blubber (3) supply 18 No hosts colleague marines in the usual way (8) 20 Confident writer put into sort of trance (7) 22 Two soaks besieging American withdraw (7) 23 Episodic work broadcast over in southeast Luxembourg (6) 26 Company’s stable (4)