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 16,919, 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.

ACROSS

1 Where slipway is cut

by three feet (8)

5 Trade union leaders appreciate endless Pacific archipelago (6) 9 Solemn fellow imagined entertaining European (8)

10 Head Office dismisses

practical jokes (6)

12 Traffic controller,

cold individual (4)

13 Team with 25 show method of propulsion in water (10)

15 Anticipated next visitor being announced (6-7)

19 Sadly, the Blue Berets twice besiege castle at cathedral city (13) 23 It’s left outside by Brian regularly after cycle stunt (7,3)

25 Set time for the final shot at St Andrews? (4)

28 Independent medic (Yankee) admits one silly act (6)

29 Stop old telecoms firm defending street with police once (8) 30 Bargain well to acquire goods (6)

31 Use other words about river during period (8)

DOWN

1 Fault in desert (6)

2 Minister soon

supports clubs (5)

3 Long to dispense

with English tale (4)

4 Rule covers a large change

to different position (7)

6 German fish container about to be overhauled (1-4)

7 A new cricket team with lousy ground in a worrying state (9)

8 Jazzed-up tune’s hardly

even wavering (8)

11 Austrian composer’s

British work (4)

14 Damage front of

sports vehicle (4)

15 Take action against gang,

including fellows in pain (9) 16 Racket in Reading (3)

17 First Lady accompanies

king always (4)

18 More than make up for

exit, might one say? (8)

20 Every other part of 8’s

second-hand (4)

21 Friendly mariner

enters a race once (7)

22 Cast figure maybe anyone

can see in Texas, say (6)

24 Where I usually

drink ‘lite’? (5)

26 Fleshy flap, sort of 5

(excluding top) (5)

27 Computer services chief

causing irritation (4)