CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

17 254

Across

1. Engineer is manic to restrict black vehicles picking up fares (8) 5. Criticism by leader of socialists remains (6) 9. Very attractive ravine seen by old American (8) 10. English group returns with party in Spanish city (6) 12. Puts down narrative poems (4)

13. Horse Corin replaced for a horned animal (10) 15. Reportedly, reproving a person keeping page as gift cover (8,5) 19. Stick cream as directed around hot festive food (9,4) 23. A bachelor boards a vehicle needing repair that can be done? (10) 25. Henry and Oscar in circle of light (4)

28. Cut advertising work by a French director (6) 29. Close-knit firm, place of activity saving tips from entrepreneurs (8) 30. Fears studied in case of demons (6) 31. A woman’s beset by depression as a supporter (8)

Down

1. Way of working by lazy type upset tycoons (6) 2. European recreational vehicle enters US city on edge? (5)

3. Group of workers in Cheshire town, reportedly (4)

4. Revise in British university supported by push for reform (5,2)

6. Patron contributes in part in common fund (5) 7. Fruit-filled dessert is pricy here sadly (6,3) 8. Odds soon altered by risk regularly for financial backers (8) 11. Priest leaving chapter shortly (4) 14. Graduate outwardly prefers small rolls (4) 15. Wide area on edges of range to accommodate storage site (9) 16. Papers found on a woman (3)

17. Be co-operative in theatrical production (4) 18. Piece by quiet journalist is discarded (8) 20. Complaint from Frenchman over article (4) 21. Bob has a large car in English city (7)

22. Stir up first person in scene of hostilities right away (6)

24. Make corrections in edition about Middle East news firstly (5) 26. Comment not publicly revealed in a group of players (5)

27. Some fine nets in Northamptonshire river (4)