CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. A good job the Romans were without a remedy for it! (8) 4. Fifty would make it a tree: a thousand, a month (4) 8. The spare child-spoiler (3) 9. Is uncertain as to how five got the fever (5) 10. It is by way of those five giving one a finish (3) 11. Having studied S American country, half missed the finish (7) 12. Go to one’s rest or return to nothing on the street (5) 13. Is this a vessel for the co-director? (11) 17. It takes a month and, for the French, eight musicians (5) 18. A person who does an impressive job (7) 20. Pouch one almost gets on dismissal (3) 21. It is due to being in the red (5) 22. Food item frequently bolted (3) 23. How she would shortly appear to be put off (4) 24. Not a feck for the futile! (8)

DOWN

1. Cast lines? (6) 2. Lowest point attainable from drain (5) 3. I had to follow the outfit without bending (5) 5. Mix oil, air and touch of vinegar for this dish (7) 6. On this, cricket was novel (6) 7. How her fingers may prove invigorating (10) 9. A divine dispensation it is vain to destroy (10) 14. The thing is, it will appear in the newspaper (7) 15. Gives one a push that to boss is not straightforward (6) 16. Roman brute? Not quite: American! (6) 18. Award that is a highly valued acquisition (5) 19. It gives a touch of colour in satin generally (5) YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Columbine 5. Rib 7. Awry 8. Contessa 10. Trestles 11. Silk 13. Regret 15. Blanco 18. Away 19. Credible 22. Sedative 23. Ajar 24. Ten 25. Harlequin Down 1. Clatter 2. Large 3. Ironed 4. Eats 5. Russian 6. Blank 9. Steel 12. Glide 14. Gladden 16. Overrun 17. Driver 18. Asset 20. Bijou 21. Itch