CRYPTIC CROSSWORD WIN £500

ACROSS

1 Talk foolishly with liberal French cleric in bar’s confines (7)

5 Plucky fighter is yet

to get treatment (6)

9 Row Dina contrived

briefly (2,1,4)

10 Academics who

enjoy books? (7)

11 Travel with American

in Indian state (3)

12 Varied private care

making one shilly-shally (11) 13 Simulate stage (3,2)

14 Woman following

discipline in English city (9) 16 Rafter and boy mobilised a form of maritime transport (5-4)

17 Retired doctor defends

priest given bother (5)

19 A French fellow with drink, quietly skilful and resolutely calm (11)

22 Broadcaster largely associated with a Jamaican style of music (3) 23 A priest having stumbled gets to walk wearily (7)

24 Note Greek publishing company getting to assemble again (7)

26 Old prime minister, a dry, slippery type on reflection (6)

27 Only chap ignoring pressure somehow is serene (7)

DOWN

1 Introduce British circle

on the rise (5,2)

2 Fame attracts oaf sadly

in reality (2,1,6,2,4)

3 Show disapproval of infant’s

footwear lacking tie (3)

4 Journey to skirt good,

long hilltop (5)

5 Company given approval over time for a sphere of activity (9)

6 A question among leaders of independent research institute for Middle East national (5)

7 An often-repeated event disturbed a modest hostelry (3,4,3,5)

8 Go up a last point bordering

South Carolina (6)

12 Small plant getting sun in Pennsylvania and New York (5)

14 Broadcast about hospital section that’s an outstanding example (9)

15 Constrain a group

of police (5)

16 Defective flat unlit

regularly over year (6)

18 Expressionless cathedral official accepting commercial power (7)

20 Horrify a Scandinavian

that’s flipped (5)

21 Slender tree beginning to

blossom by Irish church (5) 25 Part of entourage left

cosmetic substance (3)

NEED A CLUE? Text TIP to 65700 to receive FOUR answers to today’s crossword, or call 0901 293 6236. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Today’s clues available between 00.01 today and 23.30 only.

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 17,056, 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.