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 16,849, 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+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 54.
ACROSS
1 Wild furry bear last to depart for at least four weeks (8)
5 Swimmer’s hairstyle (6)
9 Succeeded with free skin cream (8)
10 Agreed now and then to pursue car like a Sierra? (6)
12 College in Princeton (4)
13 Notes what delivery boy earns? (5,5)
15 Out of contact after pay cut, manic duo rebelled (13)
19 Successor to guild, large one, extremely firm (6,7)
23 Agree with regular payment at the same time (10)
25 Most of lay-by rebuilt with skill (4)
28 Extract Felicity after dismissing case (6)
29 Music section’s second opening impressing yours truly (8)
30 Shoot the messenger (6)
31 Burglar’s around regularly in Bury (8)
DOWN
1 Tie up fellow with a gun (6)
2 Game in which some rubbing out is needed? (5)
3 Left guy wandering outside? That’s shocking (4)
4 Retrieve about 150 on purpose (7)
6 Render harmless or armless (5)
7 Fabulous stage complete with a Regency frame (9)
8 Dry non-boarder snubs a smart dresser in the 1950s (5,3)
11 Live with a topclass lover (4)
14 Wound up competitive events to save energy (4)
15 Fiction, the product of necessity (9)
16 Mike loves noise in parlour, say (3)
17 I’m a leader of Muslims (4)
18 Does everyone understand this signal to proceed? (3,5)
20 Old amusing character, joker perhaps (4)
21 In Paris, my boy inhales oxygen, producing wind (7)
22 Funny story about beginning to eat seafood (6)
24 Join retinue out of bounds on way up (5)
26 Book study for money (5)
27 NE river permit (4)
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.