CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

WIN £500

ACROSS

1 Perhaps endorsed European charge (8) 5 Notice present and past item in playground (6) 9 Estimate calcium stored in wood (8) 10 Bigger billet accommodating a Desert Rat? (6) 12 Flatten tube (4) 13 Underwear in sewer indicating loss of expertise (5,5) 15 Mean girl moving carefully after prince (5-8) 19 Basic dough ran out, then loose change (5-3-5) 23 Mate’s sent off to obtain special checks on income (5,5) 25 Prison disturbance (4) 28 Note player hiding sudden pain (6) 29 It’s beneficial putting salt round sharp bend on a track (8) 30 Canine’s withdrawn, having injured toe (6) 31 Stop moving argon regularly into country (8)

DOWN

1 Sadly Africa’s banning Cape expedition (6) 2 Voting system in trouble for 30 days (5) 3 Settlement’s stuffed, by the sound of it (4) 4 Wreck new oyster bed finally (7) 6 Editor enlists workers to do what he does (5) 7 Guide buys a film showing several species (9) 8 Spring almost dark? More or less (4-4) 11 Vehicle popular in outskirts of Miami (4) 14 Scottish island in main channel (4) 15 A large number regret crossing lake and river in Russia (9) 16 Something to write on cushion (3) 17 Guy’s become rough (4) 18 Exciting old violin found in Democratic Republic of Congo (8) 20 Christmas book Victor mislaid (4) 21 Disclaim dealing with flyer (7) 22 Mole, strangely grey one with no tail (6) 24 This has to be adjusted to take in good view (5) 26 This is a rich adornment, just the tops! (5) 27 Air filter in large complicated gun (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 16,709, 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 date-stamped 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.