CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Does darkroom work, and grows (8)

4. Catch sight of mark on snooker table (4)

8. Garland that starts looking extremely interesting (3) 9. Capital manner is assumed when in company (5)

10. The insolence that pours out of it! (3)

11. It helps to assess it thus without the East (7) 12. Regret the church is included for a bit of dressmaking (5) 13. Hail no taxes being imposed as they are breathed out (11) 17. I’d smell strongly to begin with, being damp (5)

18. One out to stir around and see the sights (7) 20. Ladder found where the chickens are exercising (3)

21. It is still one form rent can take (5)

22. I being Latin, for example, get nothing (3)

23. What one’s at in one’s time off work (4)

24. Doing work with iron with slim gent like this (8)

DOWN

1. Sort of sleeve that could land MO in trouble (6)

2. They are carrying blood from a cave in Switzerland (5) 3. One is at them, taking trouble, and it hurts (5)

5. A pencil may be used to depict a bird (7)

6. This hat will come out best for each (6)

7. Quiet to run, it will somehow stop the bleeding (10)

9. It’s in your face, such a dessert, which is farcical (7,3) 14. Spanish inquisitor who took six men out east (7)

15. It may be made to run someone down or make him pay (6) 16. It is as powerful as this box is safe (6)

18. Definite article Marines take to the baths (5)

19. They were perhaps nice to one, being led by Boadicea (5)

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION: Across 1. Petrified 5. Car 7. Noun 8. Spawning

10. Impounds 11. Mint 13. Gobble 15. Closer 18. Ploy 19. Wainscot

22. Disports 23. Limn 24. End 25. Debatable

Down 1. Pinking 2. Thump 3. Impede 4. Dawn 5. Critics 6. Right 9. Sully

12. Plane 14. Browsed 16. Retinue 17. Cantab 18. Padre 20. Climb 21. Hood