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sorry, kirky - you're right (and I've made that mistake earlier in the thread... don't know why). E is right, by the way.

No, malone - it wasn't a typo. I think I'm referring to the possible error on the diagonal if the LOO answer is treated (wrongly) as 'aloo', which has the potential to throw out the main diagonal further down... at least I think that's what was worrying me (I must have made that mistake at some point but can't be sure).

thanks drxxx ..phew! I have SI?E?NDNAKE ...which letters are wrong?

Kirky, the S and the second N are wrong.

Yes, you've made an error with the LOO answer, kirky (it ends T) and 'allows' has a different start.

Thanks, drxx, I think I assumed it was a typo because the 3 D answer doesn't affect the highlighting - but I now see what you mean about the main diagonal further down.

I think that little trap caught me out too - that's why I've been pushing the two anagrams (I'd worked out the anagram/phrase before I went looking for it in the grid - luckily!).

OMG the penny has dropped!!!
Thanks all for your patience!

Thanks to the massive help on this thread I have all but finished. What is still eluding me is the 8 letter word to be written under the grid. I currently have pe???ate and although I have the answers to the three starred clues where I have the question marks I have still not worked out which letters need adding to them. Any hints to at least one of them would be appreciated.

1st one - 'as soon as' = gives the first 3 letters of the answer (added to N+D) but it's a 4 letter synonym, so the extra letter has to be accounted for - this is done by adding a letter to 'ape', which gets rid of....

2nd one - is an anagram of 'on' and 'cat', so another letter is needed - 'the face...' (first of) ...tile' gives that letter.

3rd one - another anagram with a surplus letter that must be got rid of -
'one' = I + a 4 letter stringed instrument (add a letter to 'ash' to get rid of...).