CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

1. Fairy creature in a mess, in a muddle, the very one! (4-4) 4. Encourage one (a) to have something on (4) 8. Mink, perhaps, flying when tempers are high (3) 9. An entry in instruction to turn for seasonal show (5) 10. To bawl head off is something that bores (3) 11. Finish with rude disturbance one had to put up with (7) 12. Flighty sort of tree? (5) 13. Connection of ideas concerning football of a sort (11) 17. Stage work may be a series of absorbing events (5) 18. Source of power following assault, perhaps (7) 20. Bill follows such for the police (3) 21. He fails in changing roles (5) 22. In the past silver came to nothing (3) 23. Thus cry ‘Ow!' to look cowardly (4) 24. In bed, as spy was confused, got around it (8)

▶ Down

1. Assuage a number thus loudly to begin with (6) 2. Glaring, part-Hindi ruler turned up (5) 3. Dug it out and got blown up? (5) 5. Show of swagger by redskin warrior endlessly going to a party (7) 6. One cultivating the soil may turn the rudder (6) 7. Trip to come off for the man who has entered contest (10) 9. Individual having sufficient skill to be of good appearance (10) 14. Stage School attended by gossips? (7) 15. Diana has nothing on in very cold surroundings: utter folly! (6) 16. It's common saying thus of mouth it's oral (6) 18. Authoritarian lad going round the ship (5) 19. What scholars sit in the complex? Am surprised! (5)