DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Alluring woman has no time at all for Queen Victoria, say (7) 5 Stage exercises in extensive grassland (6) 9 Old chum in Paris owns device for folding paper (7) 10 Ring at breakfast, perhaps, for porridge (7) 11 Cells needing a bit of renovation (3) 12 A good going rate transformed total (11) 13 Surrender gain (5) 14 Biography consists of fibs about fellow Conservative (4,5) 16 Former president employs writer and woodworker (9) 17 It happens to be part of this clue! (5) 19 Seized software woman’s sent back finished (11) 22 Heavyweight school loses its head (3) 23 Trouble? Spin dry corded fabric (7) 24 Pacify gorilla, say, feeding him vegetables (7) 26 Terribly nasty, cross form of words (6) 27 Hot curry (not cold) dearer? Get a move on (5,2)

DOWN

1 Spain modest about record in environmental science (7) 2 Own belongings such as uniform, cap, boots etc? (7,8) 3 Time each crossing river (3) 4 Final stage of interesting swindle (5) 5 Reserved new fork and spoon Oscar left for European (6,3) 6 More variable time during 3 (5) 7 Patiently rope in suspect diplomat (15) 8 Extremely sensual, dark and sinuous (6) 12 Confuse Democrats, sending round beer (5) 14 Post-holder left, better trained but old and cross (9) 15 Observe daughter embracing piano career (5) 16 A hundred and fifty active politicians reveal vices (6) 18 Maybe present Unionist party leaders get nervous (5,2) 20 Become active in English sport, joining gym (5) 21 Cast hated the end (5) 25 Standard charge raised (3)

PRIZES of £20 will be awarded to the senders of the first three correct solutions checked. Solutions to: Daily Mail Prize Crossword No. 15,654, PO BOX 3451, Norwich, NR7 7NR. Entries may be submitted by second-class post. Envelopes must be postmarked...