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 16,890, 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 58.

ACROSS

1 Lazybones put hot

cocoa out (5,6)

9 European feline,

weaselly creature (7)

10 Wrap special whiskey

and go off (7)

11 Part of Oregon that sometimes needs a boost? (3)

12 Watery warped U.S.

sequoia is taken away (7) 13 Model soldier nearly

disappeared (7)

14 Northern sailor’s

collar (3)

15 Mark out a destiny

for some (5)

17 Tree’s minute fruit

with no core (5)

18 Spirit in a keg finally

maturing (5)

20 Person with prejudice abandons leader to survive (5)

22 Lecturer withdraws

sign of assent (3)

24 School actors creating

audio file (7)

25 Increase film pay

after editing (7)

26 Track time

pursuing game (3)

27 Accountant with a ploy recalled making break in line (7)

28 Novice drops golf

supporter outside (7)

29 Sensational acts clear up

after refreshment (11)

DOWN

1 Robin’s lens could split, causing lack of discrimination (6,9)

2 Reveal relative

chopped tree (7)

3 Group in that establishment can’t stand (5)

4 Old place upset witch on current parts of canal (9)

5 Articles with little weight give sort of clue (7)

6 A golden person, ie wrinkly perhaps? (3-3,9)

7 Finally, engineer in European country reveals wrench (6)

8 Anglicans supporting Irishman’s meeting with spiritualist (6)

16 Two terns fly, including one

pointing inwards (2-7) 18 View a revolting

fungus in street (6)

19 Fragment — a piece of the lunar ground picked up (7)

21 See about trouble

in part of rigging (7) 23 Rest here, maybe topless, in centre of saddle (3,3)

25 Old Greek ‘Room

at the Top’? (5)