BARE BONES

WIN A COLLINS ENGLISH DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS SET, AND A BRADFORD’S CROSSWORD SOLVER’S DICTIONARY

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a fourway symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.

There is a prize of a Collins English Dictionary and Thesaurus set, and a Bradford’s Crossword Solver’s Dictionary. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No 966, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries must arrive by Friday, October 23 (photocopies not accepted). The winner’s name will be published on November 8 from the first correct entry drawn. Winner of Bare Bones No 963: Michael Bennett, of Cardiff.

Across

1 Run to second photograph 5 Unassuming fashion on the way 10 Fish next to ship storage facility (Two words) 11 Old scientist gives girl one sign 12 His odd daughter, originally an attractive girl 13 Equal to a game 14 Top of the address 15 Reportedly regretted being discourteous 17 Occupation around paved area

18 The first comedian is a fool 22 Reward boy, taking nothing in cargo 23 Wheel gets round mat 24 Make appealing conclusion here in the East End, reportedly 25 Whole point – I rent out

Down

2 Pairs running around city 3 Air new question and land 4 Peek and steal a goose (Three words) 5 Group of entertainers make wonderful friends (Two words)

6 Still odious, taking toy back 7 Except having left some ointment 8 Sharp reductions in sweets (Two words) 9 Refrigeration causes blister, stifling source of throb (Two words) 16 Prominent person gets currency after party 19 Conflict about the empty drink 20 Extra engineers, after short time 21 Wish for wife to join worker