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 16,598, 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 date-stamped 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 62.

ACROSS

6 ‘Never lose hope!’ navy pal reminded us at sea (3,11) 9 Prophet’s place hidden in Philadelphia (6) 10 Lament on the dry ground (8) 11 More expensive company china’s expected soon (8) 13 Old fortified wine to sell overseas (6) 15 Exotic lady necks six with zest (6) 17 Sailor engaged in ball game, serving no purpose (6) 19 Cut relevant language (6) 20 Spectator seeking relief next to royal couple? (8) 22 Whip a pennypinching superior officer in launch (8) 24 A huge number love visiting Russian writer (6) 26 Easily offended, Stephen is very worried about island (14)

DOWN

1 Mad early painter owns books showing route of asteroids? (14) 2 Start to cut disc, including a hit (4) 3 Early NASA project stars (6) 4 Nearly interrupt criminal such as peeping Tom (8) 5 Article about how some writers sign their work? (4) 7 Society’s ignored cost of dispatching soup (6) 8 Not fully grown, like 14 with poor definition? (14) 12 Hate taking top off platform (5) 14 Petty Officer keeps cool and still (5) 16 Guide using drunk outside as interpreter maybe (8) 18 Plant bed not turned over (6) 21 Substance in plant lining’s complex (6) 23 Region in Near East

out of bounds (4) 25 Party’s tipped to welcome the sixth old poet (4)