CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

6 Mutually reliant, Peter and I needn’t split up touring North Dakota (14) 9 Drifting ship about to transfer liquid (6) 10 Getting ready to work hard and better, cutting margins (8) 11 A Greek heretic concerned with cultivation (8) 13 Arrange Pole to work within Derry’s walls (6) 15 Judge Unionist politician with displeasure (6) 17 Plant agents to shadow accountant (6) 19 A coach steals athletic club calculator (6) 20 Current lantern designed for use inside (8) 22 Doctor probes artist in surgery, finding very little water (8) 24 From memory, repeat ceremony involving English clubs (6) 26 A case absorbs majority of government department executive (14)

DOWN

1 Press directors to support broadcasting trophy (6,8) 2 Engrave end of epitaph and suchlike first (4) 3 British ruin complex guarding eastern sultanate (6) 4 Occasional sort of table used in chemistry lab (8) 5 Unemployed group of personnel directors sent up (4) 7 Enlarge No 10 twice to fill edition (6) 8 In Manhattan, Leo orchestrated patriotic song (8,6) 12 In which to preserve a condiment briefly? (5) 14 Expert in public relations a frontrunner? (5) 16 Check on upcoming Northern Irish creative activities (8) 18 Stole top favourite (6) 21 Vocal passage which holds men up (6) 23 Arrest large Scotsman

heading north (4) 25 Cold fruit counter (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.

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 16,458, 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.