SOLUTION TO PRIZE CROSSWORD No 15,788:

ACROSS: 1 Gallant. 5 Sit-ins. 9 Maudlin. 10 Coroner. 11 Ooh. 12 Archaeology. 13 Lunch. 14 Principle. 16 Dejection. 17 Riser. 19 Backpackers. 22 Eel. 23 Scallop. 24 Beef tea. 26 Useful. 27 Demesne. DOWN: 1 Gumboil. 2 Laughing jackass. 3 Ail. 4 Tonic. 5 Sectarian. 6 Torso. 7 Non compos mentis. 8 Argyle. 12 Ad hoc. 14 Principal. 15 Cards. 16 Debase. 18 Release. 20 Pilaf. 21 Embed. 25 Elm.