SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD No 14,998:

ACROSS: 1 Clear off. 5 Spread. 9 Idolatry. 10 Europe. 12 Peek. 13 Sonic booms. 15 Self-governing. 19 Overconfident. 23 Get the chop. 25 Scar. 28 In case. 29 Bathroom. 30 Gilded. 31 Jeopardy. DOWN: 1 Crispy. 2 Elope. 3 Ream. 4 Furlong. 6 Plumb. 7 Economist. 8 Dressage. 11 Kiev. 14 Bloc. 15 Sceptical. 16 Oaf. 17 Reed. 18 Coughing. 20 Nick. 21 Iron Age. 22 Grumpy. 24 Haste. 26 Choir. 27 Chip.