CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,455

ACROSS

1 Take a group rambling across Cuba for all-in trip (7,4) 9 Aggressive lad upset bishop with no work (7) 10 Dishes in Madrid bound to revolt girl briefly (7) 11 Diamonds pinched by public enemy (3) 12 Pay bonus in post (7) 13 Fruit tree I ignored about to deteriorate (7) 14 Damage three-quarters of planet (3) 15 A commercial vehicle carries one dealing with flyers (5) 17 20 singers all like melody, primarily one in church (5) 18 Writer’s defending southern city religion (5) 20 Devout Greek character meets old American (5) 22 Naughty child caught in Blenheim Palace (3) 24 Put on eastern colour and go outside (3,4) 25 Irish game appeared to captivate old soldier (7) 26 Mark loves noise in parlour (3) 27 Circle place to go during break — white peak (7) 28 Resort in Kent opening after 14 (7) 29 Buns, juice and TV arranged to generate a mood (11)

DOWN

1 About 50 appear in journals maybe for spin-doctors’ job (6,9) 2 A rich eccentric entertains writer, fabulous creature (7) 3 A top-class graduate catches current bug (5) 4 Parse note translated into artificial language (9) 5 Partially hide favourite place for pet? (7) 6 Invented entertainment employing a large ground (4-7,4) 7 Agent comes up to cut stick that’s used by builders (6) 8 Judge encounters earl heading north (6) 16 Unrehearsed concert is boring — I’m put off (9) 18 Take in section of housing estate (6) 19 Man working with CBI hires independent taxi (7) 21 U.S. airman all but obliterated old eastern fighter (7) 23 Disgruntled vice president on TV set up journalist (6) 25 Dandy was one fellow supported by Mike (5)

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 16,455, 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 74.