CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

▶ Across

7. Angry divisions of platoon considered to be representative (5-8)

8. The upkeep of mother in canteen riot (11)

12. Remember sometimes having to hold hot coals? (6)

14. Like some crisps, made mine look attractive (6)

16. Short animal doctor Edward passed as being sound (6)

18. There's nothing in apartments that bobs on the surface (6)

19. What artist depicting river scenes may do for castle entrances (11)

23. A little work at start of evening for peeper-out-of-window? (7-6) ▶ Down 1. Beat back murder without hesitation (4) 2. Like the Channel Islands, having cells for spores (4)

3. The way things are, a sibling controls city centre (2,2,2)

4. In a vessel, ice cream sort of cakes (6)

5. Something ominous is given up to heartless gun (4)

6. A hundred are in the unit, not to be repeated (4)

9. He judges the Tiber to be turbulent in half the year (7)

10. Sort of loaf suitable to dwelling in the country? (7)

11. Price one may be offered to do up old, precious finishes? (4)

12. Sent on mission, he loses nothing but desire for what another has (4) 13. Grass found in dry environment (3) 15. A driver under instruction approaches end of Mall: that's the lot (3)

17. Knight going to bed turns up the wreckage (6)

18. Where brothers cook up a song inside (6) 19. Medical substance puts 500 on the mat (4)

20. One singing a lot of variations (4) 21. Ghastly sound of a fairy-tale brother (4) 22. To keep one in stitches, about fifty committed murder (4)