CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Step taken with heavy heart in prison ( 5)

6 Is such grass nice to lie on? ( 5)

9 Exclude a lawthat’swrong ( 4,3)

10 A growing source of secondclass accommodation ( 5) 11 In which the spectators have no seats? ( 5)

12 Do the same ( 5) 13 Mother with one baby at least ( 7)

15 She helps hang out the washing ( 3)

17 Story of the picture ( 4) 18 Grating the front of the car! ( 6)

19 Many keen to make a name ( 5)

20 Could it make a hole in a towel outright? ( 6) 22 Brilliant performer in space ( 4)

24 Crime of passing dud notes? ( 3)

25 We figure to turn up at a reception ( 7)

26 Not exactly sixes, nevertheless boundaries ( 5) 27 Operatic character to see and copy ( 5)

28 Full of intestinal fortitude ( 5)

29 A drink and a good thing to eat? That’s the stuff! ( 7) 30 Father leaves the pageant to be arranged by a deputy ( 5) 31 Those bashed by the peelers? ( 5)

DOWN

2 Boiling could turn one soft ( 6) 3 Being sarcastic gets one right ahead, I see ( 6) 4 The odd bit of crumpet ( 3) 5 Bearing in mind, maybe, the overall requirement ( 5) 6 Sweet letter for us, tucked inside a card ( 7)

7 Mr Cotton’s forename? ( 4) 8 Scrub a can opener clean, perhaps ( 6)

12 Said to be due to Calvin being noble ( 5)

13 Warms to me and some officers ( 5)

14 Girl stuff ( 5)

15 Dog in orbit ( 5)

16 Such painting can be green ( 5)

18 Farmer, saint or soldier boy ( 5)

19 If cited wrongly, shows inadequacy ( 7) 21 Equestrianism in old Yorkshire ( 6)

22 Start scoffing steak, and steal some fruit ( 6) 23 Morning employed in being entertained ( 6)

25 Jamand cake, perhaps ( 5) 26 Write something personal ( 4)

28 Too much talk of a terror weapon ( 3)