CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Female calls round eastern borders (7) 5 Infrequent fights with Spain (6) 9 Code in Parisian vault (7) 10 Old ass knocked over Herb (7) 11 It’s meant to take the heat off admirer (3) 12 Fortuitous wreck found and remade (9,2) 13 The French come again about constant parasite (5) 14 A small number set up over here at that point (9) 16 Conservative old fellows prepare to do battle (6,3) 17 Disapproving sounds heard for drink (5) 19 Engineer needing a fir with a delicate texture (4-7) 22 Source of, say, grouse originally (3) 23 Was son left outside? (7) 24 Job for observer to struggle with in Greece primarily? (7) 26 Result devastated Irish province (6) 27 Sophisticated punishment received by left-winger (7)

DOWN

1 Distressed father left wandering round university (7) 2 Toscanini ordered to host new queen by lake, fiddling (15) 3 Tease bloke (3) 4 Stuffed seat burst, dumped finally (5) 5 Unable to pick up anything, feasted on ground (5-4) 6 A ray opposite centre of boat (5) 7 A good one has you falling about, ironically (5-2,8) 8 Scientist’s unpleasant smells upset one (6) 12 Guide well, less good at the start (5) 14 It’s written for couple who daren’t split up (3-6) 15 Bass hidden in European sea plant (5) 16 Take action against Republican owning very loud bear (6) 18 Employed Old English at the start (7) 20 Leave rubbish, it’s suggested (3,2) 21 Under no circumstances prevent contents to be lifted (5) 25 Small creature nearly ran away, heading north (3)

NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.

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 16,406, 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 68.