CRYPTIC CROSSWORD £500

No 17,012

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 17,012, 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 52.

ACROSS

1 Grandeur facing men in the wild going round Arctic feature (12)

8 Varied Romans conserving energy as rowers (7)

9 Value woman’s tips for improvements in clubhouse (7)

11 Restaurant employee wearied at work behind hotel (4,6)

12 Henry gets to publicise musical (4)

14 Spreading of grit seen as something required by drivers (8)

16 Ranks areas of lands without elevations (6)

17 Drunkard grabs other bottles (3)

19 How one might assess a person of action to be sure? (6)

21 Speaker I love in story set to music (8)

24 Element in traditional song too (4)

25 Decorative sort of tram on lane (10)

27 Draws out first of expenditure permitted by society (7)

28 Ignorant woman associated with Hertfordshire town (7)

29 Way to get rid of one ruling? (12)

DOWN

1 Damage entrance in Kent town (7)

2 Unexpectedly, manager wed conservation officer (4,6) 3 Local markers? (3,5)

4 With day gone, gets rid

of painful sensations (6)

5 By the sound of it, first person had to be observed (4)

6 Invention of a new

word or lots of bits (7)

7 A thesis and topic that’s excited refined person (12)

10 Was obliged to bear crossing river in area beside motorway (4,8)

13 Pete cheats in order to lead the way (3,3,4)

15 Halfwit without fellow shows excessive sentimentality (3)

18 Rate altered certainly for valuables (8)

20 Hate some French pies

when cooked (7)

22 Withdraw pamphlet supporting religious education (7)

23 Fine note by Celt in short for type of painting (6)

26 Feature of an orange gin’s accompaniment found in public house (4)