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 16,922, 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 60.

ACROSS

1 Book fare here to rebuke one church about sci-fi film (6,6)

8 Put in order dealing with alterations (7)

9 Boorish drunken count in posh hotel (7)

11 Flags upset Irish officer during trips (10)

12 Radical put in offer for prison (4)

14 Smooth moneylender’s problem for shipping? (8)

16 9’s route picked up (6) 17 Vladimir’s somewhat slow-witted (3)

19 Keep one of four men originally on board (6)

21 Spanish dish? Some call it rotten, sending it back (8)

24 Old place to go in retirement, like office in Washington (4)

25 Invite star cast for a term in grammar (10)

27 Endurance’s mainmast shattered, all but the top (7)

28 Obsessed relative man had briefly accommodated (7)

29 Plant with big leaves, one of two not far from trunk? (9-3)

DOWN

1 Hunch in shed,

giving lessons (7)

2 Round round? (10)

3 Don’t need to change such thrilling action on pitch? (3-2-3)

4 Work tactic excludes

man at the top (6)

5 Sit opposite

fellow expert (4)

6 Palace attendant wasting time for messenger (7)

7 Knight’s emblem makes islanders angry (7,5)

10 Could this be the real reason Dad had engine overhauled? (6,6)

13 Donate, feeling sorry about British university (10)

15 Christopher’s gear (3)

18 Displays behind popular NASA mission (4,4)

20 Mole watched everything when touring Spain (7)

22 Irish province dismissed new spear for fishing (7)

23 Secret things churchgoer’s found in articles (6)

26 Women’s Institute representative in big girl’s blouse (4)