CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Minor expert welcomes name for intimidating steps (3,5)

5 Small unnamed Russian boss’s backing exercises (3-3) 9 Deride attractive woman clutching current Times (8) 10 Carriage connecting Tyrol and Augsburg (6) 12 Law enforcers dismiss river parasites (4) 13 Everyone knows this old writer’s on Crete, last to start (4,6) 15 Ignore small rent shopping here? (8,5) 19 Tense terse response from fortune teller? (6,7) 23 Lacking English, catechism is disputed, creating division (10) 25 Lift to be arranged

with skier at last (1-3) 28 Notice opening period before Christmas (6)

29 Rush at speed, spread out across motorway (8)

30 Brussels chief employs a Parisian bodyguard for sultan (6)

31 It helps to stop a park bed getting vandalised (5,3)

DOWN

1 Stagger Wimbledon resident, changing character (6)

2 Churchgoer treasuring

priest’s remains (5)

3 One’s against making contribution to brilliant idea (4)

4 In company, Harry

plays WI song (7)

6 It’s absurd withholding

son from lunatic (5)

7 German and Croat worked

with European paint (9)

8 Stand-ins on set inhibit

development by crew (5,3) 11 Churchman loses

head before long (4)

14 American regularly

fears employer (4)

15 Wife essentially loves

new cooker (5,4)

16 It’s played in this country

with energy (3)

17 Try to find diocese

supported by king (4)

18 Old harassed staff, say, retreating behind the scenes (8)

20 Start off to

address summit (4)

21 Party list includes

independent (7)

22 Mate cooked

around noon (6)

24 Sort of boom in

counterfeit coins (5)

26 Signal fuel supplier

to take shelter (5)

27 Rioters run this morning,

feeling fine (4)

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 16,884, 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 56.