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 16,381, 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 62.
ACROSS
1 Sort of power uncle wielded against a king (7) 5 Plague and cold virus near borders of vicinity (6) 9 Scotsman slices tobacco when he’s not working? (7) 10 Is this old Austin legal or illegal? (7) 11 Leaders in one unsuccessful test dismissed (3) 12 After church, ten or more dismantled timepiece (11) 13 Mark worried about a Buddhist’s destiny (5) 14 Abbey lost trained groom (9) 16 Notices rocks, nearly all in pieces (9) 17 Old official contributes to Yorkshire event (5) 19 I blame Moira for smashing objects collected by devotees (11) 22 Discharge a member of church (3) 23 Spies seize traitor touring old country (7) 24 Unpleasant character, one whose name I’ve forgotten (2-3-2) 26 Mike’s into fizzy stout — the greatest (6) 27 Improve English Channel, almost all of it polluted (7)
DOWN
1 Northeast Labour inspires Yankee and his metropolis (3,4) 2 Cute former actor cooked good food for one (8,7) 3 17 avoids dealing with woman (3) 4 Jockey added clause to contract (5) 5 Man briefly in post rings for protection once (5,4) 6 Mali’s widespread religion (5) 7 Gang at belvedere devised plots here (9,6) 8 Cast initially yearn to claim Oscar at regular intervals (6) 12 Pelt one mammal resembling a raccoon (5) 14 Hospital labs ruined in suburbs of Detroit resurface (9) 15 Volcanic rock smothers rare young insect (5) 16 Swindle American climbing trees (6) 18 Ring in two conclusions daughter’s forgotten (7) 20 Old sailor’s given up absorbing international relationship (5) 21 NW city ignores car yarn (5) 25 A small hotel remains (3)
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.