Crossword Genius

Prattles about pharmaceutical places at Birkenhead (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

blabs

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'prattles' is the definition.
(I know this)

'pharmaceutical places at birkenhead' is the wordplay.
'pharmaceutical places' becomes 'labs' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'birkenhead' becomes 'b' (head letter of 'birken').
'labs' put after 'b' is 'BLABS'.

'about' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app