CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

1. An easy target, being a model like this (7)

5. Take risks and lose head – stroll on! (5) 8. Get rid of the French and sound amused to do so (7)

9. Greek character wasted pun on model (3-2)

10. Dwelling with rice, needs to make a pudding of it (9)

12. Ambassador has the right to belong to a woman (3)

13. High boot for a bird that gets feet wet (5) 17. Branch of service one will give means of fighting to (3)

19. So front is lower than that place (9) 21. There's much to finish off, it being like bingo (5)

22. Instrument for holding Greek crab (7) 24. Enclosed spaces were spread with square sails (5) 25. Orange-coloured tin given back to a deserter (7)

Down

1. It is fast, but one may get hold of it (6) 2. Prepared, like bird, to have faith in what one is told (7)

3. Distress one by removing top of highland dagger (3)

4. Ground for putting on the inexperienced (5)

5. Use peat and repel one in an orchard (5-4)

6. Assembly of magistrates, as marked by surveyors (5)

7. Boffin found previous partner to be cheeky (6)

11. To strike now, lots do it differently (4,5) 14. One getting provisions pops out with a woman (7)

15. Get real by misapplication of bearded growth (6)

16. Be sorry for the traveller who got ‘X’ brand wrong (6)

18. Limousine to tie up around end of crescent (5)

20. Encourage, for example, attempt with pole (3,2)

23. Curved line found in bar code (3)