CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. One slip ruined character from Athens (7) 5. Bold pet left out (6) 9. He scored in Cup upset, crushing Channel Islands (7) 10. Solvent wrecking path in New Hampshire area (7) 11. Beat train at regular intervals (3) 12. Comprehensive Women’s Institute gets maddening (4-7) 13. German rowing crew follow unknown craft (5) 14. Hunt round posh home for prickly creature in the main (3,6) 16. Steal shell for collection (4-5) 17. Old-fashioned reporter returns after snubbing salesman (5) 19. Travelling abroad once, I carried transmitter (5,6) 22. Writer’s rubbish container sent back (3) 23. Bouncer allowed to admit tense supplier of food to plant (7) 24. Give post to a very quiet individual in old theatre (7) 26. One who arranges shots or diet possibly (6) 27. Banned sick girl taking in Spain (7)

Down

1. Understanding English writer’s engaging way (7) 2. Don chided school foolishly in his dotage (6,9) 3. Group of people investing money in Bucharest (3) 4. Design an aid for young dragonfly (5) 5. Mine may help someone after death in London or Cardiff (5,4) 6. Mature retired Irish writer (5) 7. Resist taking part in recording nevertheless (15) 8. Drink nearly finished? That’s hard to understand (6) 12. Worker in restaurant omits one drink (5) 14. Extremely wet user at sea may be wearing this (9) 15. Ignoring time, Turner broadcast repeat (5) 16. SA publication cautious about Roman Catholic (3,3) 18. Test piece included ring road (7) 20. Left in old soggy small flier (5) 21. Some paint one animal (5) 25. Friend’s post reduced (3)