CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Even state rubbish can be taught to talk (6)

4. He may have something to say about what’s put on (6)

9. Do away with need to be confused about Roman road (7)

10. If one is walked on, it may stump one (5)

11. Grilled bread is not started in this oven (4)

12. It’s a positive sign that there’s something more (4)

13. In the main, it may be idle talk (3)

15. What’s done in in advance really is so (4)

16. Hill dwellers like to include the New Testament (4)

19. Seaweed that may be pocketed in Scandinavia (3)

21. The old woe of being on it when out of work (4)

22. Tale a hunter told about Jacob’s wife (4)

24. Shakespearean spirit one invested in Lear perhaps (5)

25. It takes very little to be silent about one sort of cod (7)

26. Former philosopher to dig from the grave (6)

27. In a novel, luminaries wrote on it (6)

DOWN

1. In favour of the helping consumed being in the right ratio (13)

2. Went over work done by divers around the East (7)

3. The point of a fable is not started, it being spoken (4)

5. Saying one won’t singe fur like this (8)

6. Leather tie non-u thug is about to put on (5)

7. Reach my Ms, hunt around for a flower (13)

8. So wed – just! (5)

14. Nude might have been taken in by Victoria, a swinger (8)

17. Clients are out to get a perforated plate (7)

18. There’s sticky mud for miles around (5)

20. Town in Kent showing their upset (5)

23. It soundly puts on what it shaves off (4)