CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

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 17,242, 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 Chaos from raid, say, going wrong? About right (8)

5 Plunder article put in

a drum possibly (6)

9 Freelancer thoroughly discontented is a victim (8)

10 Excellent piece of advice when given tense work (6)

12 In cunning fashion, removing second flower (4)

13 Position of control in key part — and in French tropical headwear (4,6) 15 A usable oil is sprayed behind starter of beef, a French dish (13)

19 Genial postman at work in Warwickshire town (10,3)

23 Set in motion first of tasks with aircraft worker away (7,3)

25 Greatly surprise youngest undergraduate?

Not altogether (4)

28 Covered with no end of spots? One gets hardened (6)

29 I take rap sadly for

device flown in the air (8) 30 Selfish type limiting one in Germany for garden work? (6)

31 Special thing that’s launched as part of a bicycle (8)

DOWN

1 Mild cold I suspect before

middle of September (6)

2 Girl turning up around island

to get material for ropes (5) 3 Dairy product not caught

in large quantity (4)

4 Familiar place for

colonists? (7)

6 A piece of dishonesty about

verse of a vigorous nature (5) 7 Site Maria cultivated

for an aromatic plant (9)

8 Parliamentary representatives, those standing in for others? (8)

11 Quiet institute linked with

a branch of Islam (4)

14 Piece of deep-fried bread raised in turn and largely free (4)

15 Heavenly happiness? Partake

of it in Cornish town (9)

16 Ointment half discounted

for group (3)

17 Ally soon regularly

observed in addition (4)

18 Flounder, perhaps, as dull

member in a school (8)

20 Berliner, maybe, ignoring a

note in beginning (4)

21 Old fellow frequently in the morning over quiet exit from a road (3-4)

22 Peacekeepers getting

break in turmoil (6)

24 Inexperienced singer Al (5) 26 Unclear sound of a timekeeper around hospital (5)

27 Some damaged a doorway

in lower part of wall? (4)