CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across 7. No response person to person quickly (6)

8. Miner, curiously gets a ring for sheep (6)

9. Mast fight? (4) 10. International with a little appreciation returns an alternative for willing participant (8)

11. A parcel from the time of the mule train? (7)

13. Refrain of French song (5) 15. What may grow in the factory? (5)

17. No limit to acclimatised waterfall (7)

20. Fusion, ma, it has a bad reputation (8)

21. Agrees in his sleep? (4) 23. Manly, six on the French island get the ring leader (6) 24. Insinuate the rascal has taken the farm vehicle (6) Down 1. Stumble on the journey (4) 2. Kangaroo will go out with a raincoat (6)

3. Gungho stag entertainment takes a prisoner (7)

4. Bob the Frenchman gets a tree to break up (5)

5. A tenor could be decorative (6)

6. Drawn-out and not very nice (8)

12. No lino installation found in the sunken island (8)

14. Sounds like dad’s vasectomy turned him into a vegetable! (7)

16. Acidic meat extract found in delphinia, cineraria and asters (6)

18. A bit of bread and cheese under the verandah, we hear (6) 19. Bring down – like a cow? (5) 22. Matadors return with information (4)

Yesterday

Across: 1. Lobe, 3. Disposal, 8. Corresponding, 10. Self-indulgent, 11ac & 17dn. At some stage, 12. Hyphen, 15. Scatterbrains, 18. Encyclopaedia, 19. Settlers, 20. Isle.

Down: 1. Locks, 2. Burgles, 4. Impede, 5. Penalty area, 6. Skive, 7. Lighten, 9. Enigmatical, 11. Answers, 13. Hairdos, 14. Ardour, 16. Ascot.