CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Reportedly take out attractive women as festive adornments (6,5) 9 Legendary British paintings mostly damaged by Scotsman (9) 10 First person cut solitary fruit (5) 11 Republican commercial about victory for believer in survival of the fittest (6) 12 Christmas month, an endless period – it’s useful to hold one’s drink (8) 13 Mass with incense is focus of

time-honoured scene? (6) 15 One who followed a heavenly

star? (8) 18 Seasonal accessory possibly

shown so close to tree (4,4) 19 Decorative item wrapped by

aunt in sellotape (6) 21 Female police relocated by Yard

– it’s officially recorded (4,4) 23 Paratrooper is Hebridean fellow,

we hear (6) 26 Role to get clock put back? (5) 27 Traditional place for hops? (5,4) 28 Tubby tailless dog having eaten bounds around unguarded dessert (4,7)

DOWN

1 Government department

traitors rising in renown (7) 2 Advent errand, purchasing

record (5) 3 Architect’s put on cape to give

showy display (9) 4 Starter with bread sauce a

minor error (4) 5 Basques fit this designation,

French in origin (8) 6 Set of steps taken in by Swiss

ambassador (5) 7 Worry and run, even, after

disorder (7) 8 Aquatic creature, a sort almost

visible in addition (8) 14 Light needs minute fitting in plan one devised (4,4) 16 Young bird, tiny, heading for daffs – it’s unwelcome in garden? (9) 17 Former President makes pledge for all to see after ceremony (8) 18 Orange shade for fans is developed (7) 20 Stage in event that’s extended one in field (4,3) 22 Severely criticise workers’ organisation, conceivably (3,2) 24 Note foreign friend in US city (5) 25 Photograph unexpected wintry spell (4)