CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WIN £500

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 the completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 17,007, 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 Observations about role for chambers (12)

8 Group beginning to block illegal moneymaking scheme (7)

9 Greasy stuff for all to see kept by a French chap (7)

11 Had to worry having altered description of a good car? (10)

12 Standard article for a soldier (4)

14 Struggle to secure good site initially for inspections (8)

16 Miner losing lead for rowdy sort of dog (6)

17 Work initially forgotten to get commodity (3)

19 A hard time twice on reflection for woman (6)

21 Old man with politician arranged loan in Spanish city (8)

24 Children’s game is partly marginalised (1-3)

25 Emergency vehicle, one shown in unusually fine green (4,6)

27 Leading group in revolutionary Iran in a transcendent state (7)

28 Protest by Northern Ireland Conservative of a diabolic sort (7)

29 Signal rabble is dispersing? They reduce friction (4,8)

DOWN

1 A Republican in African country ending in incredible farce (7)

2 Unimportant figure in force

to be of service, it’s said (10) 3 Change, say, shown by Oscar as different version of self (5,3)

4 Yankee after suggestion is oversensitive (6)

5 Somewhat inexperienced gynaecologist is nervous (4)

6 Note awful trouble in something that needs cutting (7)

7 Pair of bachelors about to enter flying in shortened form? (12)

10 Go with American getting information on Cyprus in body for tourists? (6,6)

13 Loyal employee in theatrical group with staff (7,3)

15 First person enthralled by special drink in small quantities (3)

18 Bank, maybe, including a very small aromatic shrub (8)

20 Large outlets in excellent EU capital acquiring power in turn (7)

22 Directs working in store (7) 23 Curious game including Irish fantasy (6)

26 Ring found in local library (4)