CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

1. Such public ground is not hard to find (6)

8. Is superior to naval rating when not quite finished (5)

9. Get the balance back right with endless mixed dessert (7)

11. Good luck charm in the main – salt mixture (8)

12. Adding a subject in school, it is singular in America (5)

15. Destruction of cricket score one has entered (4)

16. Newt is in the country: invite him (3)

17. Is finished with what's left (4)

19. For argument's sake take in public relations with atomiser (5)

21. One on a raid may spoil a rude assembly (8)

24. It will make one blue half-nude with the newspapers (7)

25. The minimum allowed as entry (5)

26. Rep set out to make a nuisance of himself (6)

▶ Down

2. What Homer wrote last was nothing but a gem in translation (5)

3. One trading on the sea in France will sing (8)

4. Set of tables that might bear eggs? (4)

5. Capital judge of beauty earns endless praise (5)

6. Fashion it in favour of military leader (4)

7. Iron Navy plant (4)

10. Being replete, is fed it as a change (9)

12. An additional quantity for Sir Thomas (4)

13. Likens company to perm, as it turns out (8)

14. Salver one will attempt to provide a filling for (4)

18. Fairly leave one's job at the end of the decade (5)

20. Between the seats I'll sound as if I'm it (5)

21. Army doctor takes the French for a spy in the organisation (4)

22. A quarter of a peseta is quite genuine (4)

23. Gather harvest may in future appear (4)