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 16,975, 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.

ACROSS

1 A chirpy host organised

fundraising outlet (7,4)

9 Overlook number backing

academic in church (7)

10 Disconcert runner

verifying boxes (7)

11 Staff are bad-tempered

after losing energy (3)

12 Single old American accepting first of responsibilities that’s burdensome (7)

13 Apes unsettled big snob (7)

14 Line with posh verse has

term of endearment (3)

15 Bias shown by southern U.S.

city conservationists (5)

17 Plucky chap defending

odd parts of task (5)

18 Accommodate stake (3,2)

20 Top orchestra goes

round entrance hall (5)

22 Article from Spain following

mischievous being (3)

24 First sign of this worthless

type getting animal’s foot (7) 25 These people left firm tips for merchandise? That’s pleasing (7)

26 A good area for heatretaining stove (3)

27 Protection for capital

coverage? (7)

28 Glaswegian, perhaps, curtailed impulse to be a pest (7)

29 Fear ten refs somehow are getting payment from a club? (8,3)

DOWN

1 A tonic investors supply

for Durrell, say (15)

2 A moment awake

almost getting lustful (7) 3 Sunless location with manuscript and articles (5)

4 Mormon leader’s expression largely for immature type (9)

5 Factory worker is given secure personal carrier (7)

6 Proof Chartreuse is drunk? It’s normal in the circumstances (3,3,3,6) 7 Move text on screen

inventory (6)

8 Son amid dinner, maybe, given last of curry? It’s paltry (6) 16 Set of tools puts a

para in trouble (9)

18 Irregular piece of

ground by yard (6)

19 Tie up an exotic plant (7) 21 Keep at a distance and wait to be connected on holiday (4,3)

23 One touching

antenna (6)

25 Squander a stew

after cooking (5)