CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across 1. Confirm brace or root it out (11) 8. Unwarranted turn taken by the nude form (5)

9. A posy goes with any version of it (7) 10. Won't yield first person at going round the North (7)

11. Was given relief using a seed in the mixture (5)

12. Before this time, were no different (3,3) 14. It allows one time to arrange public relations with it (6)

18. Shuffle in argument he'd for instance returned (5)

19. He covers one at home, certain to go right (7)

21. Tuneful old mice dancing to it (7) 23. Cut off syllable the Spanish could die for (5)

24. Slap grapes in tea perhaps (6,5) ▶ Down 1. Bottle got from it by the Dutch? (7) 2. A tirade one might put out all round (7) 3. A final letter gave me a go at arranging it (5)

4. Fancy art one makes of it (6)

5. It's severely simple, with South wind going east (7)

6. So urge one on to look silly with it on one's face (3)

7. No drinks on a day with a nymph in the woods (5)

13. Do revue turn — and not before time! (7)

15. Cocktail for the train I'm mixing (7) 16. Water rushing to river gets torn (7) 17. Copper is in Norfolk town for this event (6)

18. Wet atmosphere will smell strongly, having paid out half (5)

20. Take stake with tickets for the chimney cleaner (5)

22. Fall behind an old convict (3)