Solution to Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword no 1,257

Across: 1 Strain; 5 Wild West; 9 Death’s door; 10 Ache; 11 Calf love; 12 Mod con; 13 Epic; 15 Hackwork; 18 Moussaka; 19 Tang; 21 Drivel; 23 Buttress; 25 Emir; 26 Checkmated; 27 Rehoused; 28 Dakota.

Down: 2 Theta; 3 Artefacts; 4 No-show; 5 Whole-wheat bread; 6

Lord Muck; 7 Weald; 8 School run; 14 Programme; 16 Watermark; 17 Padlocks; 20 Staked; 22 Verso; 24 Spent.