CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across 1. About fifty one suffuses and feels thrilled (7)

5. Was confusing to the Leathernecks to crowd so densely (5)

8. Bring about withdrawal concerning religious pamphlet (7)

9. Put oneself out with divorced partner and 'er tank-top (5)

10. Hang it, if you're going in for decoration (9)

12. He wants Paul, in his protection from the wet (3)

13. There's nothing in a trick that will awaken one (5)

17. Is coming back at end of Lent to be in session (3)

19. Principal's acid advantage to begin with (4,5)

21. Artfully escape the French return, due to change (5)

22. Fuel carrier manuscript again is wrong about (3-4)

24. First appearance of French, on the other hand (5)

25. Colonel turns up with friend nearby (7) ▶ Down 1. Chucked by the endless worn variety (6) 2. Lent little Edward some change, and got stung (7)

3. Spring is endless for land under grass (3)

4. Scenery builders have done their job : that's the arrangement (3-2)

5. Spars for lifting unbroken limbs (9) 6. On the watch, watch-chain has no end of snib (5)

7. Uses car, being most upset about the alternative (6)

11. Non-u chum mother or father takes in for writing material (9)

14. A barrier against the main encroachment (3-4)

15. Climb, like first of champions, to the finish (6)

16. What wasp will do to your top is mean (6)

18. It's a handy thing to hitch-hike with (5)

20. One carrying a divine message in a strange language (5)

23. It's not enough to be ill, so read it the way it appears (3)

Yesterday's solution

Across 1. Earns 4. Descant 8. Elder 9. Believe 10. Tea 11. Melodrama 12. Iced 13. Arid 18. Celestial 20. Tan 21. Abstain 22. Mania 23. Rosette 24. Smash Down 1. Electric chair 2. Radiate 3. Shrimp 4. Dabble 5. Salads 6. Arena 7. The garden path 14. Rotunda 15. Aslant 16. Fiancé 17. Clamps 19. Loses