CROSSWORD

Across

1 He may be in charge of naval operations (5,6) 9 A driver went astray, but completed the course (7) 10 Handy aids to warmth (5)

11 Final date in the Julian calendar? (4) 12 Agreeable countryman about fifty (8) 14 They won’t top the bill in any form (6) 16 Indigestible food for the dog set out (6) 18 A case for striking perhaps (8)

19 A shade better than the others (4) 22 Loves an anagram to work out . . . (5)

23 . . . and gets advice on clues in anagram form (7) 24 Give-away merchants who don’t want custom? (4-7)

Down

2 Gymnastic animal (5) 3 Decorate with flags? (4) 4 Commonly do (6) 5 Makes closer agreements (8) 6 Free and easy unemployed worker (7) 7 Timid extras perhaps, filling in at another job (11) 8 Hailstorms break out around the East – to do with temperature (11)

13 Fabric obtained for ready money only (8) 15 The initial ritual may be purely symbolic (7) 17 Agree to study a dog (6)

20 Victor’s opposite number (5)

21 Pool giving pleasure to many (4)