CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WIN £500

ACROSS

1 Conservative firm engaged in a tricky deal to get award (8)

5 Fundraising sale in borders of Botswana and Zambia by a river (6)

9 Plates etc. caught by feature in garden (8)

10 Recall excellent drinking haunt associated with a peninsula (6)

12 Sound of useless part of a windmill (4)

13 Charlie as from now sorted out troublesome matter (3,2,5)

15 Opening sure to alter behind establishment for collaborative bodies (5,8)

19 Coaches opt out having to mobilise lazy types (5,8)

23 Monarchs tend to avoid this area in a British way of speaking (10)

25 Theoretical thing to hold money with no end of zips (4)

28 One in leathers acquiring cold gets to argue in a petty way (6)

29 Properly intelligent society welcoming end to austerity (2,6)

30 Put up with ambition shown by Yorkshire banker (6)

31 A RC rebel at work demanding mental effort (8)

DOWN

1 A large chap at one time in recess (6)

2 Top part of a tooth (5)

3 Unreliable person missing fine body of water (4)

4 Party chap in case of retrenchment is temporarily inactive (7)

6 A set-to about rare projectile (5)

7 Doctor bears grim waxy substance (9)

8 Think again about Jenny? (8)

11 Tolerated tiresome sort (4)

14 Earnest desire in fellow is heartening (4)

15 Shock almost with a French journalist detaining director in charge showing bias (9)

16 Large tank found in Bratislava today (3)

17 Conservative has change of heart in ancient city (4)

18 Bachelor with line in fancy braces for indoor game (8)

20 Solemn promise in southern half of Scottish town (4)

21 A pass yet to be devised for follower (7)

22 Hollow container in ship, maybe (6)

24 Plain strip (5)

26 American woman’s assistant in a theatre? (5)

27 Steep descent in shabby nightclub (4)

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 17,029, 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 50.