CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 16,961 WIN £500

ACROSS

1 Retired American caught with Latin book has to give way (7)

5 False work about outstanding soprano is withdrawn (6)

9 Awfully banal capital recalled in European country (7)

10 Soldier infiltrates boozer? That’s sensible (7)

11 Set of characters in

winning hostelry (3)

12 Dishonesty for all to see by temporary residents or serving officers (11)

13 Film after test

musical work (5)

14 Item used by a purchaser transforming bad credit (5,4)

16 A growth in fencing

and the like? (5,4)

17 English author beginning

to seem out of place (5) 19 Remain in tight-knit group to see thin creature (5,6)

22 A board game in

the past (3)

23 Guards losing face

making admissions (7) 24 Principal cricket side

divided by a racket (7) 26 Environmentalist taken with singular healthy food? (6)

27 Contracted and

deceived? (5,2)

DOWN

1 Element runs off to follow street for sports venue (7)

2 With no end to protest once, bitter man incites terribly powerful politician (7,8)

3 Reportedly, bring home

tea container (3)

4 Courageous bachelor

facing boisterous party? (5) 5 Friend goes over a chart

that’s satisfactory (9)

6 Encourage, say, leaders of group over negotiations (3,2)

7 A condition meant getting prepared for removal of germs etc. (15) 8 Charlie has to get away from department inaccessible to the public? (6)

12 Illuminated man

showing agility (5)

14 Doctor digs in so about

a medical judgment (9)

15 Celebratory drink in honour of a revered figure (5)

16 Pamper group on south

side of Greek island (6)

18 Firearm in time carried by

Japanese commander (7) 20 Cut rise for some

chief in Kabul (5)

21 Bring up story about island,

Middle East tourist site (5) 25 Line that curves, we’re

told, in rescue vessel (3)

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 16,961, 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.