CRYPTIIC CROSSWORD

Across

1 Herb as son, little chap with endless merit (10)

6 I left sailor travelling west for island (4)

9 Getting snarled up – as net is here, before fishing (10)

10 A group of coppers seen to be sharp (4)

12 Some dog reared to be monster (4)

13 Very small things not reused, chucked (9)

15 Blooming obsession that’s absorbing Rex, four (8)

16 Tramp, maybe one emerging from papers (6)

18 Greek character hugged by little child for a time (6)

20 Problematical situation that gets someone reaching for hair dye? (4,4)

23 Fellow surrounded by unsociable types who live in a city? (9)

24 Member meeting unknown host (4)

26 Work that may be behind a counter (4)

27 Extra lad, an idiot to be licked into shape (10) 28 Money quietly given to party (4) 29 Past rowers coming out in their kit? (10)

Down

1 The woman had something at the bottom of garden? (4)

2 Number, say, being buried in Bury (7)

3 Keeping going in dialogue, getting two characters to switch around (12)

4 Drilling completed? Congratulations! (4,4)

5 A number landing in gutter, dismissed (3,3)

7 They may go to bed after journeys (7)

8 River suffering with lots of factories around? (10)

11 Scientific study in which secondary aim is dicey (12)

14 Encouraged to be false with secret ultimately hidden (10)

17 After a day, person on slopes becomes more lively (8)

19 Something that isn’t a positive feature in puzzle? (7)

21 Capital city’s church featuring in adventure story (7)

22 Project aiming at the stars? Something we laugh at (4-2)

25 Slight speech defect (4)