Radio Times Prize crossword no 47

[patsyann]

16 Across. Cross about shortage of soil.

7 Letters. ?l?c?e?. Presume the centre bit is lack but cannot work out the answer.

[candistudent]

Blacked

It can mean angry

BlackED - Bed - Flower bed

bLACKed - lack - shortage

Not sure if it's right but looks good to me

cheers
Dave J

[patsyann]

Thanks Candistudent. I cannot think of anything else either but I am still not sure.Will wait and see if I get any other solutions before filling in the grid.

[biley]

Let me provide an alternative - that may be no better but at least it is another guess - BLACKEN.

Seeing that this is a Radio Times crossword with television and film listings the Cross may be BEN, about shortage (LACK - as you presumed) giving a meaning of soil - another word for blacken (or defame etc).

[patsyann]

Have suddenly seen the answer.

Blacken. Ben Cross the actor .Shortage.Lack.

Blacken = Soil.

[patsyann]

Sorry Biley I did not see your answer until I had posted my answer.We both had the same Idea.Thank you anyway.