CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. Overbearing as Il Duce, say (11) 8. Indulgent lot backing the East will storm and scold (8)

9. Banking, give it the go-around after auto takes to the air (4)

10. Push back a spool of film quietly in the middle (5)

13. Takes one on behind turning two south (4)

16. A firm hold on a travelling bag (4)

17. Is in Washington area, which is a record (4)

18. Look after X, and five hundred will follow (4)

20. Cheeky fellow first gives hers a whirl (5) 24. Pleasant biscuit from the French Riviera (4)

25. Space in wood discovered as one is getting over hurdle (8)

26. An angle on ashlar used as vital building block (11)

Down

2. Vain way not to be at work (4) 3. Concise way to reset it (5)

4. A little colouring used in sweetmeat in gelatine (5)

5. One got hold of nitrogen content in a chunk of metal (5)

6. Stare things out as one stops stooping (11)

7. Not bound to alter the coins in one's pocket (5,6)

11. Being invulnerable, the printer may make it a trial run (5)

12. Was out in front, for instance returning to attached strip (5)

14. Don't include honour? It follows! (4) 15. To provide an autograph may be an omen (4)

19. Cheerless divisional leader at the back of the army (5)

21. Authoritatively declare right to be a monarch (5)

22. The angle of a strip of wood around the North (5)

23. Huckleberry spells the end in France and goes north (4)