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 completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,937, 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 It decreases annoying errors and upsets (7,5)

8 Troops possibly fly such a spacecraft (7)

9 Bloke found in idiot’s wardrobe (7)

11 Fluid matter does for parasitic worms (10)

12 Arab leader initially explored Russian space station (4)

14 Liberal sailor and German colonist (8)

16 Group of employees accepting second agreement (6)

17 Several periods are put back (3)

19 Passing river Mike is probing (6)

21 Cynthia arranged golf as well as sailing (8)

24 Distinctive air in aquaria at regular intervals (4)

25 Lead public relations team backing stance (10)

27 ‘Free time’ rule is broken by European (7)

28 Leave a group of musicians performing (7)

29 A Greek fruit’s transformed performer on edge (6,6)

DOWN

1 Present a uniform picture (7)

2 Cultivate South Island without using spades? That’s weird (10)

3 Part of Paris university tender covers German city (8)

4 Criminal enterprise, one of at least two in court (6)

5 Origin of heartless automaton (4)

6 Plots seem silly after school (7)

7 Time to spread a lotion over fist, having fought thus? (5,3,4)

10 Early cabbages bound to appear on parts of course (6,6)

13 Cast hesitant about American fan (10)

15 Go and score in rugby (3)

18 Anteater, occasionally macabre, very black on the outside (8)

20 Sort of swallow one cocktail (7)

22 Tidy place for monks? (2,5)

23 French cheeses said to produce wind (6)

26 Expert’s posh wig is upside down (4)