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 17,113,
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.
ACROSS
6 Local service found with frequency? (9,5)
9 Make less severe notes scribbled about France (6)
10 Forces in ground relating to law courts (8)
11 Semi-aquatic mammal? There’s advantage about a tailless sort (8)
13 Aged relative, say, returning in country house with farm buildings (6)
15 Mischievous or unadventurous after leader departs (6)
17 A French senator initially with piece of verbal skill that’s not slanted (6)
19 Backward places with soldiers in an insensible state? (6)
20 Unusually tidy companion and son keeping soft paintings on two panels (8)
22 I end deal that’s adjusted time set for completion (8)
24 Woman previously serving children gets strain (6)
26 Guess hotheads rank it misguidedly (1,4,2,3,4)
DOWN
1 Educator chose slim sorts for exercise (14)
2 Leave out special award linked to computing etc (4)
3 Piece of advice about tall receptacle for round vegetable (6)
4 Odourless gas found shortly in back of branch? (8)
5 Hand on note, not a powerful piece (4)
7 Information with value for stew (6)
8 What confectioner does last, perhaps, is additional good thing? (5,2,3,4)
12 Tons love young dog getting additional drink? (3-2)
14 A politician given pounds over year that’s more than enough? (5)
16 Rain said to be irregular in Mediterranean island (8)
18 Most inactive deli’s refurbished close to depot (6)
21 Daughter is overwhelmed by strength in fine particles (6)
23 Dutch skipper held up in entrance (4)
25 Dash embodied by Melanie (4)