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 the completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 17,224, 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+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 52.

ACROSS

1 Authority found by old military operative (8)

5 Something put on the skin for military entertainment (6)

9 Two articles about work vacancy outwardly typical of a bloated firm? (3-5)

10 Staff let off responsibility (6)

12 Payment close to buffet for plates of meat (4)

13 Leigh’s alas disorientated in Scottish town (10)

15 Place to produce plants and some fish in educational site (7,6)

19 Men gravitate possibly around leader of union that’s bickering (13)

23 Deception from Henry cooking couscous to entertain Penny (5-5)

25 Unsightly mark seen in numerous cartridges (4)

28 Avoided first woman embracing commercial director (6)

29 Route Les adjusted, being determined (8)

30 Tidier yard with November gone in dining venue (6)

31 A unit for pronunciation? (8)

DOWN

1 Limit for all to see in Conservative figure of wealth (3-3)

2 Tree with colourful leaves is sufficient if slightly altered (5)

3 A cross media boss gets dismissed (4)

4 Troublemaker in short had to stray (7)

6 Mortify a party (5)

7 Free tooth when loose is prominent (2,3,4)

8 Feature of cricket beginning to seem dated is exaggerated (8)

11 Risque artist completely marginalised (4)

14 Pair in the morning has something to carry tot (4)

15 Wine wholesaler, one acting in a different fashion (9)

16 Rubbish found in bar, otherwise (3)

17 Twist first person found in pass (4)

18 Money only for soft wool (8)

20 Name over very long time for element (4)

21 A division facing English city in a stark way (7)

22 Musical film broadcast in Mediterranean country (6)

24 Piece of asparagus and special bit of corn (5)

26 Tiny evidence of a bloomer? (5)

27 Here’s first bird making a doleful cry (4)