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 four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away.

Across

1 Show encouragement around circuit 4 Fold petal a different way 7 Ribbon stuck initially on tree 9 Publicise a bung 10 Defeat the leader on mound 11 Youngster gets backing of a student 12 Put an end to drink 13 Pay to get comfortable 14 Did without new drapes 18 Place of worship either side of the head 20 Note yours truly gets the glory 21 Nearest examples of sheet design 22 Draws digits in report 23 Man’s eyepiece 24 Relaxed with journalist, satisfied 25 Charming part of injury

Down

2 All about acquiring one cold colour 3 Summons artist in exciting books (Two words, hyphenated) 4 Try to sell playing field 5 Avoid duel, rewriting the end 6 Records as pet plays around 7 Striker finds security at game (Two words) 8 Travel around north – it’s very slow 15 Heard section that’s quiet 16 Fruit days 17 Wonderful fireplace, by the sound of it 18 Sentimental daughter provides material 19 Bloom not starting further down

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 976, The Mail on Sunday, PO Box 3451, Norwich NR7 7NR. Entries must arrive by Friday, January 1 (photocopies not accepted). The winner’s name will be published on January 17 from the first correct entry drawn. Winner of Bare Bones No 973: Paul Bland, of Henlow, Bedfordshire.