CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Old policeman interrupts tense audio file (7) 5 Wilting amateur’s abandoned cup (6) 9 Work fast to acquire uniform with deep pockets (7) 10 Engaging person, US singer hides weapon (7) 11 Spanish article about European fish (3) 12 Bearing left during observation (11) 13 Rested while opening the sack (5) 14 Stored message: ‘Very old diamonds sent to this paper’ (9) 16 Gladiator role current in South America (9) 17 Plant in bog or small border (5) 19 Shaman’s Middle East racket importing films (8,3) 22 Writer’s beginning to punish brat (3) 23 County doesn’t end a line? It’s bizarre (7) 24 Biscuit that’s pulled at Christmas (7) 26 Accompany music briefly in sci-fi film (6) 27 Obscure relative meets Arab (7)

DOWN

1 Saw lead choking pet dog (7) 2 Matching colours? They are applied unevenly (6,9) 3 Cut 10 in Accident & Emergency (3) 4 Carry minute revered emblem (5) 5 Branch of geology analyses section surrounding court (9) 6 Bridget Riley’s work standard in books (2,3) 7 Kremlin made cash altering its device once (6,3,6) 8 Callous Republican gets in still supported by Alabama (6) 12 Course’s beginning on wrong date for trainee soldier (5) 14 Oddly, Cavan initially tempts fate acquiring empty land (6,3) 15 German city’s businesses somewhat upset (5) 16 Triangular snack’s square in some Pacific islands (6) 18 Top man, monarch, visits English redcaps and troops (7) 20 Company suppresses radical belief (5) 21 Greek character enlists accountant in former dependency (5) 25 Discharge a member of church (3)

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 16,147, 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 70.