CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Lofty language from Queen, racing old fancy? (14)

9 First in space (7) 10 Available for one agitated about fine (2,5)

11 Cut good durable wood (4) 12 Lacking prudence, popular record about Eastern tenor (10) 14 Jacket kept in van, or a kagoule (6)

15 Blows up, as final set botched (8)

17 Retire and sketch (8) 18 Religious teacher and head of theology talk inconsequentially (6) 21 Method of deciding winner of European holiday in bank (3-7) 22 Jolly place to eat, once car’s parked (4)

24 Are all sozzled imbibing English beer? (4,3) 25 Resolve shown by press on strike (4,3) 26 Likewise, purchase an identical disc on the phone (2,3,4,5)

DOWN

1 Girl in Black Sea republic – in a state? (7) 2 Type of psychiatric treatment, a type they criticise internally (8,7) 3 Platform one shown in blue, northbound (4) 4 Superstar on edge (6) 5 Share not quite worked out (8) 6 Something worn at a college later on, possibly once pass received (4,6) 7 Something to scan at the dentist’s? (6-5,4) 8 Deserter captured by soldiers from America gets free (6)

13 Hot air socialist research centre’s served up with elan (10) 16 Competition must be held inside without rugby club (8) 17 Bitter about tea brewed that’s weak (6) 19 Greek god circling close to Troy in attempt to deceive (3,2,2) 20 Psychic in fair (6)

23 Very loud, but ultimately quiet (4)