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 completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16128, 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 datestamped 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+, exc NI. Terms apply, see Page 60.

ACROSS

1 Distant feeling neck is twisted in head office trouble? (12) 8 Suspend party grandee initially looking sheepish (7) 9 Popular leftist is backing person with secret info (7) 11 Cancellation to do with trade (10) 12 Hurt a Republican entertained by first lady (4) 14 Oliver’s supporters make innuendoes about girl (8) 16 One of the Archers who’s on the fiddle? (6) 17 Idol’s best medal left out (3) 19 Add software to finish (6) 21 Boss about to trick collier out of energy (8) 24 Note attached to article in that case (4) 25 Data collected in least common threatened area (10) 27 Alexander’s wife in a car whizzing round Zambia (7) 28 Busy place to start monopoly? (2,3,2) 29 Bruised, like teams from New Zealand and Scotland? (5-3-4)

DOWN

1 Dynasty finished German house (7) 2 Liaising about college doctor’s job (10) 3 View funny things, having drunk one gallon (8) 4 Easily fixed tricky complaint after removing ATM (4-2) 5 Grub starts to nibble ornamental sea holly (4) 6 Harry admires pistol, for instance (7) 7 Baroque choir rehearsal doesn’t end joint exercise (12) 10 Pay mountaineer abroad to follow river (12) 13 Home Office trial wrongly involves Zulu on plane (10) 15 Small piece of ground, very damp at first (3) 18 Transfer ring stolen by depressed boy (8) 20 Earl working with VIP to come out on top (7) 22 One who interprets fragment of Codex, eg Eternities (7) 23 American artist has brought up a lot of sand (6) 26 Record is held by policeman (4)

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.