CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Either take the lead or I'll cut you off (6) 8 They must have the last word! (8) 9 To be full of life is a credit to you (6) 10 In the East they tend to eat without teeth (8) 11 A good name to give an owner, right? (6) 12 I do say again, that bird's no longer with us (4) 13 Put out by some pet hero! (5) 16 Snakes have the right to go out in files (5) 19 It's been made into cheese (4) 21 A line's been broken by extraterrestrials (6) 22 Put the ant in there and menace it (8) 23 Worked hard and lubricated it after tea (6) 24 The ultimate being,Aunt Eve left them (8) 25 On the level, that saint has returned for the happenings (6) DOWN 2 The First Lady takes a rest and demands a tall one (7) 3 Does pie throwing take place in this part of the serial? (7) 4 Fed up finally at having to protect someone? (6) 5 That rotten Southerner is such a big-mouth! (7) 6 In spite of a love for them, they remain just drugs (7) 7 Snakes etc. have other ways of seeing things (7) 13 Expressed contempt for Pete and hit him (7) 14 Listen and get a good score which will encourage you (7) 15 Canters about and withdraws (7) 17 As I had "one over the eight" I looked really silly (7) 18 He accepts wordplay when it's really biting in nature (7) 20 He's let out wearing a cloak (6)