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 16247, 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 A drone gets this elevated 18 (5-3,4) 8 Fish swamp island and independent country (7) 9 Subtle variations one’s picked out from pests (7) 11 Angry judge snubs last pair to point elsewhere (5-5) 12 Bankrupt bear’s first to quit (4) 14 It might be grand if I dressed up, but it’s demeaning (5,3) 16 Black deposit nearly all in the north (6) 17 Box office beginning to promote dance (3) 19 The Anglicans host a small number from there (6) 21 Red light area a suitable place for developing (8) 24 Gas board brings in restraining order (4) 25 Moving crazy topic for debate (10) 27 Within it, one can hear alto among others out of tune (7) 28 New name given to a single plant (7) 29 Reduce forms for workers (5,7)

DOWN

1 Don’t attend bed belonging to female (4,3) 2 Is monarch upset by attitude adopted by opposition? (10) 3 Extra member’s item on barbecue perhaps (5,3) 4 Boyfriend moves, avoiding FBI over there (6) 5 Part of UK avoids insignificant meat (4) 6 Leave out old hint in crossword daughter put in (7) 7 Items on sale in hosiery business German removed (5-2-5) 10 Focused, as are confirmed bachelors? (6-6) 13 Reserves collect trivial gifts for readers (4,6) 15 Leave diamonds for idol (3) 18 Troops invading country’s current affairs programme (8) 20 Ban English doctor on old ship (7) 22 Sinister ring in sumo wrestling (7) 23 Mention work pointing up lyric (6) 26 Put foot in it and pump for instance (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.