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 16,863, 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

6 Direction taken by old PM twice ruffled ‘wets’ (5-9)

9 Niche in which to exhibit small Ceres bust? (6)

10 Personal assistant put in vehicle expert’s hard top (8)

11 A terrible pity about Latin becoming uncommon (8)

13 Pressure line is next to old pub (6)

15 Free a French boxer left inside (6)

17 Disease of leading groups of typical hussars (6)

19 Agitate jockey’s supporter right away (4,2)

20 Claim recent changes in gym (8)

22 Block old boy’s story about Conservative (8)

24 Cyprus importing German chap’s fruit (6)

26 It’s irrelevant where units and tenths appear (6,3,5)

DOWN

1 I’d built centres in other places, made to last (14)

2 24 perhaps in middle of street (4)

3 Ordered chips containing unknown rare drug (6)

4 It takes yonks cultivating tree in borders of Turkey (8)

5 Exchange hands when climbing (4)

7 Mystical old sect admitting Catholic (6)

8 Yes, it’s crucial possibly when nothing’s coming in (6,8)

12 Player needing wind to defeat her, never mind husband (5)

14 Buff coach and horse every so often (5)

16 Analysed university study about introducing wolves, say (8)

18 Address waste water invading small church (6)

21 Avoid leak (6)

23 Drive right into dump (4)

25 Nasty feature of remote village (4)