CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

No 17,295

ACROSS

1 Searches widely for food over a very long period? (7)

5 Edible seed seems peculiar around middle of meals (6)

9 Showing approval or

slowly going off? (7)

10 Nun Kate upset describing

an unappealing article? (7) 11 Edge of garment found

in the main (3)

12 Dan has draft for revision?

It’s fixed (4-3-4)

13 Row linked to new

bedsheets (5)

14 Driven rugby player was first to embrace European league (9)

16 Bar, a place possibly around back of shop is source of jam? (4,5)

17 Try temperature in

central section (5)

19 Made a mistake getting record for a back problem (7,4)

22 By the sound of it,

purchase an extra (3)

23 Intimidate woman entering middle of Cowes (7)

24 Sort, yes, at sea to find

edible molluscs (7)

26 Revere established English

writer after setback (6)

27 Want to be among trio of

bridge players to relax (7)

DOWN

1 Fine launch arranged

in island capital (7)

2 Sued minister ran off showing primitive quality? (15)

3 Three consecutive characters making clarified butter (3)

4 Make more palatable fronts of shops under good awning rarely (5)

5 Duo scream out for

jockey Peter (9)

6 Located model edition (5) 7 Sever a relationship with brand before a complete rest (4,1,5,5)

8 A French diet analysed

as one? (6)

12 Regal woman with husband turning up to get hair dye (5)

14 Peer paid poorly over month has fanciful hope (4,5)

15 Henry inspired by revolutionary name for set of moral principles (5)

16 Actor’s crashed,

swivelling wheel? (6)

18 First sign of this motive for

a form of betrayal (7)

20 Petal floating in South

American river (5)

21 Golf clubs for

actor Jeremy (5)

25 Special area in

health facility (3)