GENERAL CROSSWORD

▶ Across 1. ___ leather, used in bookbinding (6) 4. Willow shoot for basketmaking (5) 9. Plunderers (7)

10. Written slander (5)

11. Increase to salary (9)

13. Sea monster (3)

14. Hot flavouring; red-headed (6) 16. Head-rest (6)

18. A label (3)

19. One going to all lengths (9) 21. Comb; wavetop (5) 22. Thinking only of ‘number one’ (7) 24. Distinctive manner (5)

25. One who works the land (6)

▶ Down 1. Railway’s engines, carriages (7,5) 2. One indifferent to pain (5) 3. ‘Diamonds' (3)

5. Patience (cards) (9)

6. Involve one with (7)

7. The trembling poplar (5)

8. One anxiously waiting to leave work (5-7)

12. A spirit (9)

15. Lack of attention (7)

17. Secret store (5)

20. Mode of expression (5)

23. Open country (3)